A PILOT was forced to carry out an emergency landing at Sandown Airport this afternoon (Monday) — after a fault with their craft's landing gear.

Emergency service teams including police and the fire were called to the scene at approximately 1pm.

This was in preparation for an emergency landing.

A plane was then seen to land on rough grass off the runway.

A County Press reader who witnessed the event said the undercarriage failed to deploy, so the pilot flew around to deplete the craft's fuel before landing the Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche safely on its belly.

A spokesperson for Shanklin Fire Service confirmed no action was taken by the fire crew, but an inspection was carried out.

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