Birmingham Airport has been forced to shut down temporarily after a private aircraft made an emergency landing earlier today.
A twin-engined Beech King Air en route to Belfast declared an in-flight emergency and diverted to Birmingham. The aircraft came to a stop on the airport’s main runway, where it appears its landing gear collapsed. Emergency services are currently at the scene.
All arrivals and departures have been suspended until at least 6 pm. According to a notice to airmen issued at 2:14pm, the closure is due to an incident.
Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 identifies the aircraft as a Beech King Air 200, the same model involved in a fatal crash at Southend Airport in July. The plane is registered G-NIAA and operated by Woodgate Aviation, a private charter service based in Northern Ireland. Records show the aircraft is 44 years old and owned by Bluesky Investments Ltd, a company registered on the Isle of Man.
Although the number of people on board has not been confirmed, King Air aircraft typically carry at least two pilots.
However, the emergency has caused significant disruption to flight schedules as 48 departures were scheduled between the time of the emergency and the 6pm reopening, and 45 inbound flights were also due during this window.
At least eight inbound flights have already been diverted to other airports, including Stansted and Manchester. This means nearly 100 flights could be disrupted, potentially affecting thousands of passengers.
Travellers are urged to check with their airlines before heading to the airport. Passengers already at the airport have been told to stay informed via updates from airport staff.
In a statement posted on X, officials of the airport said they are working to resolve the situation and will provide further information as soon as possible.
The Beech King Air involved in the incident is frequently used by Woodgate Aviation for medical flights. According to the company’s website, it serves as part of their air ambulance service, equipped with a full Lifeport System and capable of flying up to 35,000 feet. The aircraft is typically staffed with trained medics and is also used for urgent organ transport for transplants.
