Passengers applaud as Virgin Atlantic plane lands safely at Gatwick

Passengers applauded a pilot after he landed a Virgin Atlantic jumbo jet safely at Gatwick airport, London after a major landing-gear fault.

Travellers who had spent a few hours circling above the south coast after the problem was identified spoke of their relief as the pilot of Flight VS43 managed a “textbook” landing despite one of the plane’s five sets of landing gear not deploying properly.

Passengers, many heading for a New Year break in Las Vegas, adopted the brace position and emergency services were on standby as the aircraft, with 447 passengers and 15 crew, came in to land.

There was applause as the pilot pulled off the delicate landing without a hitch and the jet rolled safely to a stop.

Describing the mood on the plane, Dan Crane (24) from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, said it was “anxious, a lot were worried, some crying. The mood was quiet and [we were] just waiting for the captain’s next announcement.”

Mr Crane, who was 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.”

Mike Kaufman, speaking from his seat on the plane after the Gatwick landing, 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”.

Interviewed for Sky News, he went on: “We didn’t realise there would be such a fuss. It was such a calm experience. About half an hour out they said we would have to go back to Gatwick. They said it was a hydraulic problem.

“The fact everything went so well shows just how professional the flight crew were. The crew were calm. We had a safety briefing two hours before we landed and when we were told we would have to go into the brace position for landings a sigh went around the plane.”

Mr Kaufman told Sky News: “Everybody gave the crew a big round of applause when we landed. I can’t wait to get into the terminal and have a gin and tonic now.

“We were talking about going on a rollercoaster ride when we got to Las Vegas. Now I’m not so sure.”

A spokesman for British pilots’ organisation Balpa said: “Pilots train hard for exactly this kind of situation. It goes to show that well-trained pilots are vital.”

The jet turned back soon after taking off late this morning and circled as it lost fuel ahead of what Virgin described as a “a non-standard landing procedure”.

Dramatic photographs showed the jumbo jet landing with the right-side wing landing gear not deployed.

A Gatwick airport spokesman said: “The runway at Gatwick airport reopened at 7.03pm following the earlier emergency landing of Virgin Atlantic flight VS43.

“The airport is now facilitating inbound and outbound flights but it will take some time for normal service to resume. 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.

“We are working with our airline partners to provide food, drink and welfare facilities for those passengers whose flights may either have been delayed or cancelled. Gatwick staff and volunteers are being made available throughout the airport to offer passengers advice and the latest information.”

Virgin Atlantic president Sir Richard Branson said on Twitter: “Well done VirginAtlantic pilots & team for safe & skillful landing of #VS43. Thoughts with passengers & crew, thanks for support & patience.”

In November 1997, Virgin Atlantic captain Tim Barnby won praise for safely landing a Virgin Atlantic Airbus plane at Heathrow after a landing-gear problem.

The plane, flying in from Los Angeles carrying 98 passengers and 16 crew, managed to touch down using three instead of four sets of landing gear.

Nine passengers were treated for minor injuries. Virgin said it had been “fantastic flying”.

PA