A PLANE carrying jockeys bound for Goodwood has been forced to make an emergency landing after mid-air engine failure.
Riders PJ McDonald, Callum Rodriguez, Rowan Scott, Tom Eaves and Jack Garrity were all on the aircraft travelling to Sussex from Bagby Airfield near Thirsk.
PAVeteran jockey PJ McDonald was one of five riders onboard the Goodwood-bound plane that was forced to make an emergency landing[/caption]
Racing TV’s Angus McNae said they believed everyone was OK but that it remained a developing situation.
It is thought one of the engines on the twin-engine plane cut out mid-air.
The jockeys, who were travelling from the north, have all been pulled from their booked rides at Glorious Goodwood today.
McNae said: “We have some breaking news – a number of jockeys coming down from the north have been involved in an incident on a plane which has had to make an emergency landing.
“We think everyone is OK but the jockeys will not be riding.
“We wish them well. We think they’re OK. It was an emergency landing. They won’t be at Goodwood today.”
Stewards at Goodwood told Sun Racing that details on what exactly had happened were still being established.
The plane had taken off but was forced to return to ground not long after.
They confirmed all five jockeys were unhurt but unable to take their rides at one of the season’s biggest festivals.
A source close to Scott said he told them the pilot informed passengers one of the engines had been lost and they would have to return.
Then, just as they were landing, a loud bang came from the aircraft.
The incident came a day after more than 150 flights across the UK were cancelled due to a technical glitch.
Holidaymakers are facing days of travel chaos because of a system outage in the air traffic control (ATC) network.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander wrote on X: “I have spoken with NATS CEO Martin Rolfe who provided further detail on yesterday’s technical fault.
“This was an isolated event and there is no evidence of malign activity.
“I know that any disruption is frustrating for passengers.
“Flights are now resumed and I am grateful to airlines who are working hard to get people to where they need to be.
“I will continue to receive regular updates. Passengers should check with airlines before travelling.”
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