Baggage hatch falls off in-flight

AURIGNY is investigating after a baggage hatch on one of its aircraft fell into the sea en route to Guernsey.

The Trislander set off from Jersey on Tuesday at 7.56am on a scheduled flight.

Following the incident it immediately returned to Jersey, where passengers were transferred to another aircraft. No baggage was lost.

A spokesman for States-owned Aurigny said the part would be replaced at no cost - it has several spares.

The aircraft, which was built in 1975, will be back in service today. The incident had no effect on services other than the original GR 809.

It was unclear whether an incident such as this has occurred previously in the airline's history or on any other Trislander.