AN INVESTIGATION is under way after emergency services rushed to Southampton Airport as a plane carrying 50 passengers reported technical problems before landing.

Crews from Eastleigh and St Mary’s were called to the terminal’s runway amid reports that a Flybe aircraft had got into difficulties as it made its way from Amsterdam.

The pilot even made preparations to divert the Dash 8 plane to Gatwick Airport as the drama unfolded.

However, the BE1018 flight made a safe landing 20 minutes late at Southampton.

A spokesman for Flybe refused to disclose what the technical problem was.

“The safety of its passengers and crew is the airline’s number one priority and Flybe regrets any inconvenience experienced,” he said.

The Air Accident Investigation Branch confirmed it was examining the incident, which happened during the evening flight from Holland on Tuesday.