A PA-30 training aircraft executed an emergency wheels-up landing at Warsaw Modlin Airport at 14:12 on 28 September 2026. The two pilots escaped injury, but the aircraft came to rest in the middle of the single runway, forcing airport authorities to suspend all take-offs and landings for nearly two hours. The first diverted flight—a Ryanair service from Malta—landed at Warsaw Chopin instead. Airport fire-and-rescue teams quickly foamed the scene to mitigate fire risk while engineers assessed runway damage. The aircraft was removed at 15:55 and operations resumed at 16:10, but six inbound flights were diverted and four departures delayed, according to airport duty managers. For corporate travel planners the incident is a reminder that Modlin, popular with low-cost carriers and charter operators serving Warsaw, lacks a parallel runway. A single blockage can therefore ripple through schedules, especially during afternoon peaks when business travellers often return from Western Europe. Passengers booked on outbound flights were offered free re-booking or ground transport to Chopin Airport. Airlines estimate compensation exposure under EU261 at roughly €150,000, though most passengers experienced delays under two hours. The State Commission for Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL) will decide whether to open a formal probe. Early indications suggest landing-gear-extension failure, but investigators will also review maintenance records and pilot actions. If PKBWL issues safety recommendations, flight schools operating from Modlin may face stricter technical inspections.
Source: Miejski Reporter
