A 45-year-old RAF Chinook remains stuck in a field after an emergency landing at Old Warden Airfield in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, following a technical issue.
The incident occurred on 26 February, forcing the aircraft to land prematurely at the site, which is operated by the Shuttleworth Trust. However, the Chinook has since sunk into soft ground, complicating recovery efforts.
Recovery Operation Underway
An RAF spokesperson confirmed that specialist personnel are now assessing the situation, stating:
“Specialist personnel are assessing the aircraft with a view to a recovery in the near future.”
The emergency landing was carried out as a precautionary measure due to a technical issue onboard. While details of the fault remain undisclosed, safety protocols dictated that the crew land the aircraft rather than risk continuing the flight.
To lighten the Chinook before extraction, the reports that fuel is currently being removed, potentially paving the way for a take-off once the ground conditions improve.
Not an Unusual Sight at Old Warden
The Shuttleworth Trust, which operates the historic airfield, is home to a collection of vintage aircraft spread across six hangars. While the sight of military helicopters is not out of the ordinary, the stranding of a twin-rotor Chinook is certainly an unusual occurrence.
A Shuttleworth Trust spokeswoman commented:
“It is not uncommon for us to welcome military aircraft, especially helicopters, to the airfield for various reasons, but we are unable to provide a comment on this specific visit.”
