A Gyrocopter has landed on the runway of Bembridge Airport – and then flipped upside down – sparking a significant emergency response this afternoon (Wednesday).
The incident occurred at approximately 12:10, with local witnesses reporting hearing a loud bang before looking over to the airport’s runway and seeing the helicopter-type aircraft damaged and upside down.
Island Echo understands that the aircraft had already landed, but suffered some kind of malfunction with its propellers, which made it spiral out of control and flip.
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary is already on scene at the airport, alongside a fire appliance from Ryde and critical care paramedics.
It is understood that the pilot of the aircraft has miraculously escaped the incident with minor injuries.
UPDATE @ 13:05 – The gyrocopter is now righted, having been put back on its wheels.
2 fire appliances from Ryde and Newport, as well as a fire officer, remain on scene. Crews are utilising hose reel jets to hose down the area where there may be fuel debris.
The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service maintains a presence with an operational commander, a rapid response paramedic, and a Silver Commander in attendance.
The broken propellers have been loaded into an ATV, with the severed gyrocopter now being towed off the runway.
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