Flights Suspended At East Midlands Airport

All flights in and out of East Midlands Airport have been suspended after an incident involving a cargo aircraft.

Air Contractors confirmed the aircraft involved was a Boeing 737-400 Freighter. There were two flight crew on board, however there were no injuries. The flight crew were the only occupants of the aircraft.

In a statement, Air Contractors said: "It is understood that the aircraft landed normally and there were no adverse weather conditions. Part of the landing gear on the left hand side of the aircraft appears to have failed after the aircraft had slowed down to exit the runway.

"The aircraft is on the runway and the Irish Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) and the UK Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) have been informed.

"Air Contractors flight BCS 1748 was operating from Paris Charles de Gaulle to East Midlands Airport with 10 tonnes of cargo on board. This cargo capacity of the 737-400 Freighter is 17 tonnes.

"The two flight crew were highly experienced; the 39 year old Captain from the Netherlands has 4,500 flight hours and the 38 year old Irish First Officer has 3,900 flight hours."

(CD/JP)