A loose connection caused a plane’s wheel to collapse as it was taxiing to take off from Teesside Airport.

The plane was taxiing to the runway to go for a short flight when the left wheel collapsed, causing the wing drop and making a loud thud.

It caused significant damage to the left wheel well, landing gear, and wing.

It happened at Teesside Airport at about 12.20pm on April 21, but a report into the incident was published last week.

Pictures show the plane tilted to its side after the wheel gave way.

The report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch said it was likely a tube connecting the landing gear had unscrewed over time due to vibrations.

When the pilot started to move the plane the leg holding the landing gear of the 1970-build Piper PA-28R-200 plane tore out.

“The forces applied to the landing gear as the aircraft taxied were sufficient to tear the forward arm of the gear from the fitting and bearing resulting in the landing gear collapse,” the report said

The pilot, who was the only person on board, was not injured.