The incident occurred late afternoon on Tuesday
A light aircraft reportedly turned “upside down” at Barton Aerodrome in Greater Manchester yesterday (April 29), leaving one passenger in critical condition.
Emergency responders were called out to the scene around 5.30pm, with a firefighter telling The Bolton News: “The plane is said to be upside down. Two people are seriously injured. Fuel is leaking, and there is debris around the area.”
Talking to Manchester Evening News, a witness revealed: “The plane taxied down the runway and upon reaching the end of the runway there was a loud pop sound and the engine cut-off.
“It continued to coast at a really low altitude before the wing struck the ground on one side. It then rolled over completely upside down and the plane snapped into two pieces.”
GMP said: “Emergency services are currently responding to a plane crash at Barton Aerodrome.
“Two men have been taken to hospital, one with life-threatening injuries and another with potentially life-changing injuries.”
The force added: “A scene is in place whilst emergency service workers conduct their enquiries and people are asked to avoid the area.”
A spokesperson for the Greater Manchester Police added in a statement: “Emergency services are currently responding to a plane crash at Barton Aerodrome. Two men have been taken to the hospital, one with life-threatening injuries and another with potentially life-changing injuries.
“A scene is in place whilst emergency service workers conduct their enquiries and people are asked to avoid the area.”
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue said: “At around 5.30pm today three fire engines from across Greater Manchester and the technical response unit attended an aircraft crash at Barton Aerodrome, Eccles.
“Firefighters arrived quickly and assisted Greater Manchester Police, North West Ambulance Service and the airport fire service in making the area safe and helping two casualties out of the aircraft.
“Both casualties were transferred into the care of North West Ambulance Service and transferred to Salford Royal Hospital. Crews were in attendance for roughly one hour.”
City Airport Manchester, It is known by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as Manchester/Barton and rebranded as Manchester Barton Aerodrome on 3rd April 2023.
The United Kingdom’s first purpose-built municipal airport, it has four grass runways. The airfield operates Tuesday – Sunday, from 9 am BST until 6 p.m. or sunset (whichever earlier) for fixed-wing aircraft. Commercial, private, military, police and air ambulance helicopters can operate in the hours of darkness by arrangement.[2]
The airport serves as an important reliever airport for Manchester Airport. It is also used as a refuelling stop for light aircraft and helicopters. It lies on the edge of Chat Moss and the aircraft movements area suffers from occasional periods of waterlogging, restricting fixed wing operations. Works to improve drainage on the airfield have seen some success in reducing the number of closures
