Cracked windscreen diverts Danish defence minister’s flight

A cracked windscreen on a Danish military Hercules transport aircraft forced Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus and members of parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee to take a longer journey home from Latvia on Monday, DR reported.

The aircraft reduced its speed and flew at a lower altitude for safety reasons after the windscreen cracked during the return flight. Instead of landing in Copenhagen as planned, it diverted to Aalborg, the only place where the Danish Armed Forces had the critical spare parts in stock.

“It was very quiet, calm and professional, and there was no panic or danger,” Bruus said. He personally briefed the passengers about the situation.

DR defence correspondent Mads Korsager was on board.

“I felt the aircraft suddenly dip during the flight. A little later, they announced that we would be going to Aalborg instead. Everything happened calmly and in an orderly way, and we were told there was no danger,” he said.

The minister, the two parliamentary committees and the rest of the delegation were now relying on DSB to transport them to Copenhagen. Instead of arriving at around 6pm as planned, they were expected to reach the capital after midnight.

Korsager said the delay could prompt the minister and the parties behind the defence agreement to consider the future of the Armed Forces’ ageing Hercules aircraft, which are approaching the end of their service life.

“A decision will soon have to be made on whether to buy new Hercules aircraft or opt for other types, such as a Brazilian model or a European one from Airbus,” Korsager said.