Aircraft blown off side of runway

Twenty passengers were on the plane at the time

An aircraft's wheels became embedded in grass at the side of the runway when it was buffeted by a strong gust of wind as it came in to land.

The port and nose wheels of VLM flight VG662 from London City to the Isle of Man were affected in the incident, at about 1030 GMT at Ronaldsway Airport.

The 20 passengers and four crew were not hurt but the airport was closed for a time, an airport spokeswoman said.

The plane is not thought to be damaged, but it is to be examined by engineers.

'Rigorous inspection'

The airport was closed for about an hour after the incident, which delayed a number of flights.

A spokesman for VLM said: "Passengers and crew were able to disembark normally from the aircraft on to the runway using one of the aircraft doors.

"Passengers were taken to the terminal building, and have subsequently departed from the airport.

"We are liaising closely with the airport authorities, and the aircraft will shortly be towed away from the runway area.

"It will only be cleared for flights once it has been given a rigorous inspection by VLM Airlines engineering personnel."

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