The statement said that the aircraft was painted in British Airways colours but was operated through a franchise agreement between the two companies. A spokesman for RAF Kinloss, which is co-ordinating the rescue mission, said he understood the two crew were the only people on board the cargo flight. A Royal Navy dive team has also been rushed to the scene by helicopter to help with the rescue operation. It is thought the aircraft, which was on its way to Belfast, suffered double engine failure shortly after take off from Edinburgh airport. It tried to turn back but came down off Granton.
Wreckage is on the surface but is thought to be sinking.
RAF rescue helicopters are being assisted at the scene by lifeboats. It looks as if the pilot has tried to land as near to the shore as possible because if it landed on the land it would have hit the chemical works. You know like you do a glider, a hang glider, coming in when you sort of land on your feet and go away, it didn't seem to be anything untoward or any problems or whatever. But the angle it was coming in, it was hitting near the shore, but with the weather that we're having, the rough seas, etc, it is bitterly cold on the landing. All Rights Reserved.