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Virgin Atlantic jet lands safely with landing gear problem Virgin Atlantic jet lands safely with landing gear problem
(35 minutes later)
A Virgin Atlantic passenger plane has landed safely at London's Gatwick Airport after a "technical issue" with part of its main landing gear.A Virgin Atlantic passenger plane has landed safely at London's Gatwick Airport after a "technical issue" with part of its main landing gear.
Virgin flight VS43 was travelling from Gatwick to Las Vegas when it had to return to the West Sussex airport.Virgin flight VS43 was travelling from Gatwick to Las Vegas when it had to return to the West Sussex airport.
The Boeing 747 circled over Devon and Sussex in southern England to burn off fuel before making a bumpy but safe landing just before 16:00 GMT.The Boeing 747 circled over Devon and Sussex in southern England to burn off fuel before making a bumpy but safe landing just before 16:00 GMT.
Gatwick's runway is shut causing severe delays and flights to be diverted.Gatwick's runway is shut causing severe delays and flights to be diverted.
Aircraft due to land at Gatwick are being diverted to other London airports, while departing flights are being delayed, according to the airport's website.Aircraft due to land at Gatwick are being diverted to other London airports, while departing flights are being delayed, according to the airport's website.
A Virgin spokesman said: "Virgin Atlantic can confirm that the plane has landed safely at Gatwick. Our priority now is to look after our passengers." Circled airport
Flashing lights of emergency vehicles could be seen close to the plane, which appeared to have landed without its full set of landing gear.Flashing lights of emergency vehicles could be seen close to the plane, which appeared to have landed without its full set of landing gear.
Ambulances and fire-and-rescue crews had been on standby as the plane circled the airport in the hours after it took off for the US late on Monday morning.Ambulances and fire-and-rescue crews had been on standby as the plane circled the airport in the hours after it took off for the US late on Monday morning.
Before the successful conclusion to the incident, Virgin announced the plane would be carrying out a "non-standard landing procedure" at Gatwick airport.Before the successful conclusion to the incident, Virgin announced the plane would be carrying out a "non-standard landing procedure" at Gatwick airport.
Gatwick Airport tweeted: "Virgin flight VS043 landed safely, the aircraft is being reviewed and passengers are disembarking. Check with your airline for flight delays." Pictures posted on Twitter of the aircraft circling over East and West Sussex showed part of the main landing gear had not fully extended.
Passenger Sunjay Patel, who was travelling to Las Vegas as a birthday treat, tweeted: "We have safely landed back at Gatwick after a bit of drama." Eyewitnesses reported the jet was flying at relatively low altitude and the pilot appeared to be trying to "shake" the landing gear down.
'Some crying'
Nick Hughes, who was on board, said the crew made several attempts to try to free the landing gear.
"They put the thrusts on quite heavily and then dipped down, I think, to try and loosen the gears but obviously nothing kind of worked.
"They gave it every opportunity before they tried the emergency landing. All credit due to the crew and the staff and of course the pilots because the landing was probably one of the softest landings I've ever had."
Another passenger, Hardeek Desai, said: "To start with we were trying to keep everyone calm but a few passengers were a bit panicky. One of the crew came out to the seating area to reassure everyone everything was going to be OK."
Describing the mood on the plane as it was circling, passenger Dan Crane, 24, from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, said it was "anxious, a lot were worried, some crying. The mood was quiet, just waiting for the captain's next announcement."Describing the mood on the plane as it was circling, passenger Dan Crane, 24, from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, said it was "anxious, a lot were worried, some crying. The mood was quiet, just waiting for the captain's next announcement."
Mr Crane, who is with family and friends, said the crew kept everyone informed, adding: "They said it was an emergency landing and we had to brace on impact."Mr Crane, who is with family and friends, said the crew kept everyone informed, adding: "They said it was an emergency landing and we had to brace on impact."
Passenger Mike Kaufman, speaking from his seat on the plane back at Gatwick, said: "This was one of the greatest emergency landings in history. It was very smooth." 'Textbook' landing
Sunjay Patel, who was travelling on the flight to Las Vegas as a birthday treat, tweeted: "We have safely landed back at Gatwick after a bit of drama."
He said the passengers had been taken to a hotel but they did not know when there would be a replacement flight.
Another passenger, Mike Kaufman, said: "This was one of the greatest emergency landings in history. It was very smooth."
He praised the pilots and the cabin crew, saying the landing had been "textbook".He praised the pilots and the cabin crew, saying the landing had been "textbook".
"Everyone seems to be fine. We are going to be leaving the plane soon. Hopefully to board another plane." A Virgin spokesman said: "Virgin Atlantic can confirm that the plane has landed safely at Gatwick. Our priority now is to look after our passengers."
Gatwick Airport said in a statement: "Virgin Atlantic flight VS043 has landed safely after returning to Gatwick due to a technical fault. Following the emergency landing, passengers have disembarked the aircraft via stairs.
"The runway has been closed until the aircraft can be removed from the runway and based on current predictions it is not expected to reopen until at least 18:00. Currently no flights are departing Gatwick and inbound flights are being diverted to other airports.
"We advise passengers to check with their airlines on the status of their flight. Updates will also be posted on the Gatwick website and on Twitter."
Route taken by Virgin flight VS43Route taken by Virgin flight VS43
Pictures posted on Twitter of the aircraft circling over East and West Sussex showed part of the main landing gear had not fully extended.
Eyewitnesses reported the jet was flying at relatively low altitude and the pilot appeared to be trying to "shake" the landing gear down.
People were tracking the seemingly erratic movements of the plane in real time via smartphone apps like FlightRadar24, which collects radar data. Its website was down because of the volume of users.
Those in the south of the UK who could see the plane circling from the ground were sharing pictures of it, including images of the damaged landing gear on social media networks. The hashtag #VS43 - the number of the flight - was trending on Twitter.
Are you, or is someone you know, affected by this story? Are you in the Gatwick area? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with any information. Please leave a telephone number if you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist.Are you, or is someone you know, affected by this story? Are you in the Gatwick area? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with any information. Please leave a telephone number if you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist.
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