This was the terrifying moment pilots battled to land in extreme 50mph crosswinds at Birmingham Airport.

The skilled crew struggled to land as strong winds battered Birmingham’s BHX Airport on Thursday 21 December.

Several light aircraft powered by small jet engines or propellers got the brunt of the turbulance.

Aircraft were diverted to the Midlands airport as Storm Pia winds battered the north.

This flight, an Aer Lingus ATR 72-600 propeller plane was diverted from Leeds Bradford.

The pilots initially aborted their first attempt at BHX International and when they lined up for their second, they were hit with strong gusts of wind, causing them to rock violently before touching down to the relief of everyone on board.

Strong winds have hit much of the United Kingdom in the latest named storm of the year.