Virgin Plane's 'Non-Standard' Landing On Video

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Pilots have pulled off an emergency landing in a Virgin jet that developed a landing gear problem and was forced to circle over the UK for four hours.

Video showed smoke spraying up as the wheels touched down in what passengers - who were in the brace position - have called a "textbook" landing.

The jet appeared to be expertly piloted and there was only a slight bounce as the jumbo hit the runway to the applause of more than 450 people on board.

One of the four sets of main wheels had failed to fully come down in what Virgin called a "technical issue with one of the landing gears".

A Gatwick spokesman said some passengers had suffered minor injuries. The runway has now reopened but delays are expected.

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Gallery: Virgin Plane's Non-Standard Landing

Passengers were able to get off via the stairs, but airport authorities said there had been a few minor injuries

Duncan Ogilvie took this photo at the scene

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A shot taken from the plane of the emergency services on the runway at Gatwick

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The Virgin jumbo came down safely after its "non standard landing" caused by a problem with its landing gear

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The jet had to turn back shortly after take off and spent several hours circling over Sussex

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The Boeing 747 appeared to be in a holding pattern over the East Sussex coast and was in the air for four hours as pilots prepared for the landing.

Passenger Mike Kaufman said the touchdown had been "textbook" and that people were calm, but that passengers had to brace in case of a heavy impact.

Another passenger, Holly Jackson, said they could see the plane spraying out fuel in preparation for the landing.

She also said the pilot was "bouncing" the plane" to try to dislodge the partially-deployed landing gear.

Experts said dumping fuel was a strategy to make the plane lighter and reduce the risk of the remaining landing gear collapsing on impact.

Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Group founder, tweeted: "Well done @VirginAtlantic pilots & team for safe & skillful landing of #VS43. Thoughts with passengers & crew, thanks for support & patience"

The plane is also reported to have flown low at low altitude near Southampton airport.

Mr Kaufman said the pilot had told passengers it was so the landing gear could be inspected by people on the ground with binoculars.

Flight VS43 had taken off at 11.44am from Gatwick and was heading to Las Vegas in the US.

Twitter users reported seeing emergency vehicles rushing to the West Sussex airport.

A tweet by the airport described it as "standard procedure" and "purely as a precaution."

Flight tracking websites showed the aircraft made it to the Bristol Channel area before it turned back.

Fire trucks were on stand by as the aircraft came in and Virgin checked the plane before letting passengers get off using the stairs.

A statement by Virgin Atlantic boss Craig Kreeger, said: "We will make sure they are well looked after this evening, and will be operating a special flight tomorrow for everyone who would like to continue their journey."

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