Air Accident Investigators head to Guernsey after Aurigny aircraft overshoots the runway

None of the 63 passengers and 4 crew onboard the leased Aurigny aircraft were injured, but the Air Accident Investigation Branch is sending staff to find out why it happened.

Flight GR609 came in to land from the east at 6.43pm on Tuesday (23 April) and wasn't able to stop in time.

This meant it ended up 30 metres into the long grass safety area at the western end of the runway.

A full emergency was declared and fire crews from St Peter Port were scrambled to help those at the airport. But the Town crews were stood down while driving to the airport.

The 63 passengers and four crew remained on board the plane for around an hour and were then bussed to the terminal.

Aurigny said this shortly after the incident:

 “We would like to apologise to our passengers on board the GR609 flight from Gatwick to Guernsey this evening. The plane experienced a landing incident on arrival in Guernsey, coming to rest on the grass at the end of the west runway. No passengers or crew members were injured and the aircraft sustained no significant damage."

The Dash 8 aircraft is being 'wet leased' by Aurigny from the private aircraft provider Luxwing.

A wet lease means that Luxwing provide the aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance.

But, significantly, it means the States-owned airline is an aircraft down until the Dash 8 is certified as airworthy or a replacement provided. Aurigny's Embraer 195 jet is due to leave service at the end of the month and it last flew to Gatwick on 22 April.

Guernsey Airport arranged for the Dash 8 to be towed to the apron area at around 8.30pm and the runway re-opened at 8.55pm. All the late inbound flights got in, aside from the Southampton service.

Now, the focus turns to what happened, and why. Guernsey Ports began its investigation last night and the Air Accident Investigation Branch was informed. It's sending officials over today (24 April)

Flights, aside from the Aurigny Manchester service, are operating to time this morning.