North Wales emergency services swarm Airbus UK HQ after plane 'flips over'

North Wales emergency services swarm Airbus UK HQ after plane 'flips over' Crews from Buckley Deeside and Wrexham were sent to the scene at Hawarden Airport in Flintshire, North Wales, on the border with Cheshire Emergency services rushed to a UK airport following an "incident" involving a light aircraft. Crews were called to Hawarden Airport in Flintshire, North Wales, on the border with Cheshire. The incident was reported at 3.10pm yesterday (July 18). Footage from the scene shows at least three fire engines in attendance on a runway. A light aircraft can be seen seemingly flipped over on the tarmac, with a crane lifting it on a platform. A spokesperson for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service's control room told the Mirror: "Crews from Buckley, Deeside and Wrexham were called to a light aircraft incident at Airbus UK, Hawarden Airport, Flintshire at 15:10 on 18.07.2026." The Mirror has approached the fire service's press office for a full statement. Hawarden Airport has also been contacted for comment. Martyn John Wulfran captured footage at the time of the aircraft's recovery and shared it on X, posting: "Emergency services and airport officials have been dealing with a plane that has apparently flipped over on the runway at Hawarden Airport, "The aircraft is currently been recovered at the scene of today’s incident at Hawarden Airport." Airbus UK is headquartered at Hawarden Airport as the company operates its main aircraft wing manufacturing facility at the North Wales site. There, wings for all commercial Airbus models are produced, while Hawarden Airport is also a base for the Airbus Beluga fleet. The site is described as a "key hub in the global aerospace industry". As the home of the Airbus Beluga in the UK, Hawarden is also in charge of transporting oversized aerospace components. The Beluga, distinctive through its whale-like shape, is tailored for carrying massive aircraft parts like wings and fuselage sections, making it an essential asset in the aviation industry.