Emergency landing after cargo door opened

A FLIGHT from Aberdeen to Shetland with 20 people on board was forced to make an emergency landing at Kirkwall airport after a cargo door appears to have opened mid flight.

Passengers reported that the plane started to descend quickly and there was a lot of noise before the pilot announced they would be making a landing in Orkney.

A full emergency was launched in Orkney with police, fire and ambulance all attending the airport, but the Saab 340 aircraft landed safely shortly after midday.

Loganair chief operating officer Phil Preston said Flight BE 6774 left Aberdeen bound for Sumburgh airport at 11.55am with 17 passengers and three crew.

He said the flight was diverted following the activation of a cabin de-pressurisation warning light.

“There was an issue with the cargo door at the rear of the aircraft,” he said.

“Our crew followed the correct procedures and the aircraft landed safely at Kirkwall Airport at 12.30pm, where it was met by emergency services as a precaution.

“A secondary aircraft is being flown up from Aberdeen to transport the passengers.

“A full inspection of the aircraft is currently being carried out by our engineering team.”