Ryanair flight subject to two probes

A RYANAIR flight that passed as low as 20 feet over homes in a Cork suburb is the subject of two investigations.

The incident on Sunday evening, June 4, was reported to the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and the Department of Transport’s Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) after residents feared a potential disaster when they saw the Boeing 737 fly overhead at what they described as a very dangerous altitude.

The aircraft was arriving at Cork Airport from London Stansted shortly before 6pm but appeared to fly in an easterly direction from Ballincollig and across Bishopstown — at a right angle to the normal flight path for landing planes, which usually approach the runway in either a southerly or northerly direction.

“We’re investigating the circumstances of the landing and will be interviewing whoever is deemed necessary,” said a spokesperson for the IAA.

The authority is the safety regulator of Irish civil industry and also operates air traffic control systems.

The Department of Transport also confirmed that the AAIU was carrying out an investigation into the incident, with a report of the findings expected in a few months.

Ryanair said last night it is co-operating fully with both the IAA and the AAIU.

Meanwhile, the IAA is also investigating an incident at Dublin Airport a fortnight ago in which a light aircraft and a helicopter may have flown within the set safe distance of one another.

It is understood the aircraft was flying through to Weston aerodrome in west Dublin when the control tower became aware of a helicopter crossing the airfield.

The controller told the light aircraft pilot to continue straight ahead and lower his altitude but it appears he may have turned towards the helicopter instead, raising the question of whether the minimum separation standard of around 1,000 feet was breached.

“We have a very safe control system and there’s a very strong reporting culture,” an IAA spokesperson said. “The reason for this investigation is to identify if there’s anything we need to do in the interest of improving the safety system.”