The loss of the Blackpool
Airport could pose a “threat to safety” pilots have warned as official
figures reveal the number of emergency landings made by aircraft at the
terminal.
A number of emergency
landings were made on the more than mile long runway in recent years,
including a Red Arrow diverting to the Fylde coast in an emergency,
attended by both the airport’s own fire crews as well as Lancashire Fire
and Rescue and Lancashire Police.
A Freedom of Information
request by The Gazette to Lancashire Police revealed officers attended a
number of incidents at the Squires Gate Lane hub, as well as call-outs
made for extra help from fire crews to deal with problems.
In one instance an
aircraft was forced to land on the strip after its cockpit filled with
smoke while passengers had to evacuate a jet after smoke was seen
pouring from the plane as it landed.
On June 6 this year the
captain of flight LS740 from Alicante was advised to evacuate the flight
as a precautionary measure after Blackpool Airport air traffic control
spotted smoke coming from the brakes on landing.
Now pilots have said the
loss of the airfield could pose a threat to airliners which can come
into difficulties in the skies over the Fylde coast.
Paul Wane, a private
pilot who used to work for Fly Blackpool, said: “The bottom line is that
Blackpool could be used, when it was active, as a diversionary airfield
for aircraft that were in trouble.
“The fact is that it is
no longer a licensed airfield, and also the fact there is no emergency
services there to help aircraft that may require help. This means that
pilots or larger aircraft may try to seek an airfield that has got these
– it could extend the problem and create a safety issue.
“The fact Blackpool
Airport is now closed means an aircraft would have to fly longer to find
an airfield with emergency services available.
“It may be a hazard to life.”
And Robert Murgatroyd, CEO of Fly Blackpool, added: “It would be a safety concern.”
The famous Red Arrows,
which attract thousands to Blackpool with acrobatic displays every
summer, have been forced to make emergency landings at the airport too.
In August 2011 one of the
aircraft had to make a swift landing after colliding with a bird,
prompting fire and ambulance crews to race to the airfield.
In February 2011 a Lynx
helicopter’s engine failed five miles from the airfield and emergency
teams were scrambled, and in May of that year an aircraft made an
emergency landing in Blackpool after reporting problems with its
undercarriage.
The following month a
twin engine aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing after
having to shut down one engine. In April 2012 an aircraft reported
problems with its nose wheel while landing.
In June 2013 full
emergency response procedure was also followed as a light aircraft got
into difficulty, but the crews were stood down after the plane landed
safely.
In August of this year,
fire crews were called as a precautionary measure after the pilot of a
small aircraft reported smoke in the cockpit of his plane.
Airport bosses Balfour
Beatty officially closed the airport on October 15 after a buyer to save
it at the 11th hour could not be found, ending 100 years of aviation
history in the resort.
Balfour Beatty said the
terminal was losing an estimated £1.5m a year. The demise of the
commercial airport left 100 jobs in the balance.
Yesterday Fylde MP Mark
Menzies warned potential buyers have only a six-week window to firm up
any offers for the airfield before the assets of the airport start to be
sold off.
- Source: http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk
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