A private jet was forced to make a “precautionary landing” at the airport this afternoon after it encountered problems with landing gear shortly after take-off.

Lester Nelson, the chief executive of the Bermuda Airport Authority, said the Learjet 60 that was bound for White Plains, New York, from Bermuda had to divert back to the island when challenges arose in relation to the retraction of the plane’s landing gear.

Mr Nelson dismissed speculation on social media that the pilot declared an emergency but he did confirm that the craft was circling the island for some time to burn off fuel before it landed safely.

Flight tracking website flightradar24.com showed the plane making numerous approaches to, and circuits around, the island.

Speaking to The Royal Gazette from LF Wade International Airport, Mr Nelson said the aircraft landed soon after 3pm.

He explained: “They had concerns about the landing gear but it has just landed safely.

“The pilot did a good job safely landing and the Bermuda Airport Authority air traffic control section did a great job guiding them in.

“There were only the captain and the first officer on the flight and it departed at about noon before returning.

“Shortly after take-off, a pilot retracts the landing gear and there were apparently issues with the retraction of the gear, which led to the return of the aircraft in Bermuda.

“The pilots were in constant communication regarding their situation.

“No emergency was declared, there was no pan pan, no mayday, but we alerted our teams and we were ready.”

Mr Nelson confirmed that the airport fire department was on standby but would not speculate on why the plane was burning off fuel.

He said there were different reasons why that might be deemed necessary, such as to lighten the weight of the plane for landing or to reduce the risk of fire.

“Landing-gear-type incidents, especially when you have notice, are usually effectively managed and that was the case here,” Mr Nelson added.

“The pilot, who had ultimate responsibility of the aircraft, communicated constantly with BAA’s air traffic control.

“Our concern was that there would be disruption to the other scheduled traffic but there were no scheduled flights.

“We are happy that this incident was effectively handled by the pilot, BAA, BAA ATC and the airport fire department.

“This incident fits more into the precautionary category of a landing than emergency.

“The pilot did make two low approaches to the runway 30 at LF Wade International Airport so the tower could observe the landing gear and report on any observations.

“The aircraft landed a bit longer than it normally would but they were very happy for the outcome.

“We were pleased there was no disruption to our aircraft operations.”

A woman posted on Facebook that she heard a low-flying aircraft over her house at about midday.

She told the Gazette: “I heard it flying low over our house. I couldn’t see it but it sure sounded like a small private plane.

“I live in Warwick West; I could definitely hear a plane going over when I was looking at the flightradar website.

“I heard it heading our way and so I went outside to look. At that time, according to the website, it was about 3,000 feet in altitude.

“I couldn’t see it but could hear it.”

Skyport confirmed the jet returned to the airport as a precaution, landing safely and taxiing to the apron under its own power, with no emergency declared.