By: Richard Smith, WHEN a wheel snapped off a plane in mid-air, terrified passengers were convinced it would crash - and texted heartfelt goodbyes to loved ones. But after warning travellers about the potentially disastrous problem, the battling pilot brought the jet down safely and none of the 43
people on board was injured. Several passengers had watched in horror as a wheel on the right side of the Flybe plane fell off when the landing gear retracted shortly after take-off. But the travellers did not inform cabin crew straight away, according to a report that reveals how the drama unfolded on
the flight from Exeter to Newcastle. It says air traffic control contacted the captain who then asked a stewardess to inspect the landing gear. It was at this point travellers told her about the wheel. A mayday alert was sent out and it was decided to return to Exeter to try to land the Bombardier Q400 craft safely. Mum Christine Jackman, 28, who was returning home to Newcastle, said: "It was horrendous. I sent a text to my partner and son telling them how much I loved them because I thought it might be the last thing I would do. It was just sheer shock. The cabin crew came round showing people the brace position.Pilot's strange message to passengers: This is your captain speaking, a wheel has dropped off
