Port St Mary Lifeboat Station - Callouts: 6th July 2002.
Weather:Overcast, low cloud with drizzle / rain showers; visibility moderate locally poor in rain Wind:
AT 15:20 BST. There was a full emergency turnout at Ronaldsway Airport, with all emergency vehicles on standby, amidst fears that the Battle of Britain Flight Spitfire aircraft would be forced to crash land at Ronaldsway.
The airport fire crews along with fire brigade personnel from Castletown and Port Erin, the Police and Port St Mary lifeboat were called out. The lifeboat was launched to stand off Derbyhaven Bay in case of a forced ditching in the sea.
The aircraft was coming in to refuel at the airport after taking part in the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial flight display, part of the Manx Festival of Aviation at Jurby. It is believed that the aircraft had 20 minutes of fuel left . However, the RAF pilot was unable to land the plane after the undercarriage would not lower.
The pilot was forced to circle the airport for around 10 minutes and was preparing for a crash landing until an RAF mechanic radioed him to suggested as a last resort that he turn the aircraft upside down. The manoeuvre worked and the pilot was able to lower the undercarriage and land safely. {Apparently this manoeuvre was sometimes performed by war time pilots in similar circumstances.}
Whilst the ALB was proceeding across the Carrick Bay it was stood down shortly after the aircraft had safely landed at 15:30 BST.
Edited 8-July -02