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A HERO pilot safely landed a passenger plane with 152 on board today as a huge emergency operation prepared for a crash at Israel's Ben Gurion airport.

More than 100 ambulances, fire engines and other rescue vehicles were on the tarmac ready for the stricken Electra Airways Boeing 737, which declared a mid-air alert because of damaged landing gear.

Firefighters race to the Electra Airways jet after it landed at Ben Gurion airport
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Firefighters race to the Electra Airways jet after it landed at Ben Gurion airport
The pilot declared an emergency after a tyre exploded
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The pilot declared an emergency after a tyre explodedCredit: IIA
Emergency crews on the ground ready for the stricken Boeing at Israel's Ben Gurion airport
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Emergency crews on the ground ready for the stricken Boeing at Israel's Ben Gurion airportCredit: Twitter

Three hospitals were placed on standby to receive casualties and the Army's helicopters and "extraction teams" were poised to help in any rescue, according to Israeli media.

The pilot radioed a mayday and was reportedly circling over the Mediterranean sea to burn fuel before attempting to land.

Israeli air force fighter jets were launched to fly alongside the plane and asses the damage after one of the tyres burst on takeoff from Cologne.

The close fly-bys allowed them to examine whether the exploding left rear tyre had caused further damage including to fuel tanks in the wings above the landing gear.

Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv was raised to its highest emergency state, level 3, for the first time in eight years and halted all takeoffs and landings ready for the arrival.

Just before 2.30pm UK time, footage showed the jet touching down safely on its wheels.

The pilots reportedly used engine thrust alone to slow the aircraft so as to avoid stress on the tyres.

Fire engines and emergency workers were seen racing to reach the plane after it came to a halt.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu praised the emergency crews "outstanding preparation" on Twitter after the safe landing.

The plane declared a mid-air emergency over the Mediterranean after taking off from Cologne, Germany
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The plane declared a mid-air emergency over the Mediterranean after taking off from Cologne, Germany
The plane circled over the sea as military pilots flew alongside to assess the damage
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The plane circled over the sea as military pilots flew alongside to assess the damage
More than 100 ambulances and rescue crews are at the scene
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More than 100 ambulances and rescue crews are at the sceneCredit: Twitter
Three hospitals were put on standby to receive casualties
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Three hospitals were put on standby to receive casualtiesCredit: Twitter
Ambulances and emergency crews at Ben Gurion Airport, Israel, waiting for a plane carrying 152 people from Germany to make an emergency landing

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