A Ryanair flight bound for Edinburgh Turnhouse Airport (EDI) from Belfast International Airport (BFS) had to perform an emergency U-turn after it was found that the aircraft door had been left open.
Flight RK 178 departed on October 17, 2023 at 19:48 local time. It was not long after takeoff that the emergency light went on in the B737-800’s cockpit.
Passengers on the flight later told UK media outlet BirminghamLive that the pilot repeatedly checked on the aircraft door, while the flight attendants seemed “shaken” and were in tears.
The aircraft landed safely back in Belfast Airport at 20:21 local time, less than an hour after it had departed.
One passenger on board the flight took a photo of flight attendants testing the door once more when they had landed.
A Ryanair spokesperson acknowledged the incident to The Independent, but chose to describe it as a “minor technical issue”.
“This flight from Belfast to Edinburgh (17 October) returned to Belfast International Airport shortly after departure due to a minor technical issue with the aircraft”, the spokesperson said.
They continued: “The aircraft landed normally and to minimize disruption to passengers, an alternative aircraft was quickly arranged, which departed for Edinburgh Airport at 00.40 local [time]. Ryanair sincerely apologizes to all affected customers for any inconvenience caused.”