RAF plane declares mid-air emergency while flying over Scotland after bird strike

A Royal Air Force plane declared a mid-air emergency above Scotland on Wednesday morning after a bird strike.

The Poseidon MRA1 plane issued a squawk 7700 emergency alert near its base at RAF Lossiemouth in Moray just after 8am during a training exercise.

The aircraft was circling near Wick Airport before returning to Lossiemouth, where it was assessed for damage.

The RAF’s Poseidon MRA1 plane is a patrol aircraft used for anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, and search and rescue missions.

Pilots issue a squawk 7700 code to signal a general emergency, notifying both Air Traffic Control on the ground and nearby aircraft.

An RAF Spokesperson said; “We can confirm that a bird strike with one of our Poseidon aircraft, GURNY01, occurred this morning during routine training off the coast of Wick. The aircrew returned to RAF Lossiemouth as a precaution to assess any damage to the aircraft.

“The aircraft has recovered without incident.”