A Flybe passenger plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Glasgow after the pilot shut down its main engine as “a safety precaution”.

The flight from Glasgow to Birmingham was disrupted mid-air when a technical fault caused the pilot to turn back to its departure destination.

Journalist John A. MacInnes, who was on-board the flight, tweeted: “Oh s***. Number one engine has failed and we're returning to Glasgow for an emergency landing!”

Flybe denied there had been an engine failure, although a spokesperson did not respond to The Independent's request for comment on the source of the technical fault.

“Flybe can confirm that the flight BE783 returned to Glasgow airport following a technical fault that resulted in the captain electing to shut down the number one engine as a safety precaution,” a spokesperson told The Independent.

Plane which experienced in-flight engine failure during Storm Doris touches down safely

“The pilot followed all required procedures and the aircraft landed safely without incident.”

The company also said the Bombardier Q400 aircraft was able to fly safely even without the use of one of its engines.

However, a spokesperson added: “But, as is standard procedure, the aircraft was met by the airport’s emergency service vehicles. All 46 passengers disembarked as normal when the aircraft arrived on stand.

“The safety of its passengers and crew is the airline’s number one priority and the airline apologises for any inconvenience experienced.”