Southend Airport was put on full alert after a light aircraft threatened to make an emergency landing at Hadleigh Castle.
The aircraft with two people inside suffered severe engine problems as it flew towards the airport and the pilot realised he may have to ditch.
The open land around the ruins of Hadleigh Castle was earmarked as the best area but the aircraft engine sputtered back into life in the nick of time.
The pilot managed to fly on to Southend Airport.
Rayleigh police were put on full emergency alert at around 3.20pm on Sunday and officers were sent to four strategic road points and to a rendezvous area at the airport.
Southend fire station sent six engines while Hadleigh fire station sent two engines, a water tender and a hose layer to the airport.
Roger Campbell, Southend Airport director, said: "It was an aircraft about three miles from the airfield which reported a rough running engine. The air controller alerted all the emergency services as well as the airport services."
It is believed the aircraft suffered fuel starvation problems.
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