Unlucky Brits suffer two emergency landings in one holiday with outward plane struck by bird and ‘technical issues’ on return flight
Holidaymakers Martin and Christine Muspratt are taking a break from flying following an ill-fated trip to Tenerife
BRITS heading to Tenerife were caught up in a double drama when their plane was forced to make an emergency landing - and then it happened again on their way home.
The Boeing 737 hit a seagull and it damaged one of the engines and it was forced to circle for a hour.
Fire engines were called in as a precaution but the plane was able to land safely.
But then on their way home from the Canary Island on Tuesday a week later a different plane suffered a technical issue.
The pilot was forced to circle over the Dorset town again for an hour to burn off fuel before it was able to land.
Passengers Martin and Christine Muspratt went to Tenerife to celebrate their 38th wedding anniversary.
Terrified Christine, 65, of Poole, Dorset, said: "We may give flying a break for a little while.
“The whole experience was absolutely horrible.
"Because there were quite a few people on the flight going through their second emergency landing the anxiety built a lot."
Martin, 65, added: "Can you believe we had to make emergency landing at Bournemouth airport after last week's emergency landing?
"I'm just glad to say we are now home safe and well."
Another passenger Nicola Baker said: “We never expected this to happen to us, let alone twice in one week.”
A Thomson Airways spokesman said: “We are sorry for the delay caused to passengers on board flight TOM6248 from Bournemouth to Tenerife.
“The aircraft has diverted to London Gatwick as a precautionary measure following a suspected bird strike.
“The plane landed safely and we are working to make sure that customers will be on their way to Tenerife as soon as possible.
“The safety of our passengers and crew is of paramount importance and we would like to reassure customers that issues of this nature are very rare.”
He added: "Thomson Airways would like to apologise to customers returning home from Tenerife on flight TOM6249 this evening for any inconvenience caused following a priority landing at Bournemouth airport.
"This was a precautionary measure due to a technical issue. The aircraft landed safely having been met by emergency services in line with standard procedures."
