This aircraft declared an emergency after this in-flight incident damaged its electrical system. It landed at Ostend airport, forcing two airliners, including the one carrying the Club Brugge football team after their winning match against Club Porto on Tuesday night, to head for Brussels-National said airport communications manager Tom Rutsaert.
The F-16 has, according to Mr. Rutsaert, released hydrazine, a highly toxic fuel for the emergency generators of these fighter-bombers, causing a suspension of aerial activities. People within the airport were unable to leave for about ten minutes and local residents were instructed to close doors and windows.
The hydrazine dissipated under the effect of the rain, allowing the F-16 to be towed off the runway and the return to normal flights after slight delays, according to Mr. Rutsaert.
The two diverted planes – that of Club Brugge players from Porto (Portugal) and another from Malaga (Spain) – were able to land safely at Brussels-National (Zaventem).