Ryanair pilot demoted over low runway approach

A RYANAIR pilot has been demoted after creating a serious incident by flying a plane just over 400 feet above hundreds of homes on its approach to Cork Airport last summer.

An investigation by the Department of Transport’s Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) found the airline’s Sunday afternoon service from Stansted was proceeding normally when the cockpit crew realised their approach was far too high.

The two-year-old Boeing 737-800 was carrying 128 passengers and six crew during the incident on June 4 in perfect flying conditions, commanded by a pilot with almost 8,000 hours of experience in such aircraft.