Dramatic footage shows passenger planes rocking from side to side as they are battered by fierce crosswinds while landing in Storm Jake

  • A plane spotter captured the nerve-wracking moments at Stansted Airport
  • One scene shows a Flybe twin-turboprop coming in at a sharp angle
  • High winds put pilots' skills to the test as Storm Jake walloped Britain

Airline pilots’ skills were put to the test at London Stansted Airport this week as planes were battered by high winds caused by Storm Jake.

A plane spotter captured dramatic footage as aircraft rocked from side to side as they made their descent towards a runway at the Essex airport.

Winds gusted to more than 40mph at Stansted as the storm brought rain, snow and plunging temperatures to the UK and Ireland, and forced planes into some turbulent landings.

Footage captured by a plane spotter shows turbulent landings at Stansted
This twin-turboprop plane was blown from side to side as it approached the runway

Footage captured by a plane spotter showed a turbulent landing for a twin-turboprop plane at Stansted Airport

A Flybe plane, operated by Stobart Air, tilted to the right and bounced as it landed safely on the runway

The most dramatic scene in the footage shows an ATR 72-500 twin-turboprop, operated by Stobart Air for Flybe, coming in at a sharp angle in the crosswinds.

The plane’s wings rocked from side to side and it tilted to the right and bounced as it made a safe landing on the runway.

A Flybe spokeswoman said: 'Taking off and landing in strong and gusty winds is considered all in a day’s work.

'Our pilots are highly trained and have the necessary skills, training and procedures required to assess and make the required operational decisions to conduct a safe flight in such adverse weather conditions.'

Footage also shows an easyJet Airbus A319, Germanwings Airbus A319 and Cargolux Boeing 747-8F jumbo jet landing in the difficult conditions.

An easyJet spokesman said: 'Although the footage may appear dramatic the winds were within operating limits and easyJet's pilots are highly trained in order to manage all weather conditions.

'The aircraft performed an entirely safe landing. Safety is the airline's highest priority.'

Footage also shows easyJet and Germanwings flights landing in the difficult weather conditions

The videomaker said his footage highlights 'excellent piloting skills, safety and training of air crews'

Given its size, this Boeing 747-8F jumbo jet has less trouble landing in the crosswinds at Stansted Airport

A spokesman for Stansted said high winds affected some arrivals, mainly smaller aircraft, but there was very little impact to overall flight operation. 

The plane spotter who recorded the footage said: ‘I filmed probably the most dramatic crosswind that I have personally filmed to date in the shape of ATR 72 of Stobart Air for Flybe.

‘The video highlights excellent piloting skills, safety and training of air crews in difficult flying conditions.’

In addition to causing problems for pilots, Storm Jake wreaked havoc for motorists.

They faced treacherous conditions on the roads after a blanket of snow fell on northern England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern Wales.

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