Air Corps plane drama

AN Air Corps CASA aircraft yesterday made an emergency landing at Kerry Airport, after smoke was detected in the cabin while on fisheries patrol.

The drama started at 10.25am when Kerry Air Traffic Control received a call from Shannon Air Traffic Control Centre regarding the plane which was operating 145km west of Kerry.

The aircraft diverted to Farranfore, where it landed without incident at 10.55am.

The crew had declared a mayday emergency en route but all six were reported safe and well after landing.

A technical team later flew from Baldonnel to Kerry to conduct an examination of the aircraft.

Emergency services, including Gardaí, ambulances, the airport’s fire service and fire brigades from Tralee, Killarney and Castleisland were all on standby awaiting the arrival of the aircraft.

It was boarded by fire officers after the aircraft was declared safe. The emergency alert was stood down at 11.05am.

The Coast Guard helicopter was also dispatched from Shannon as an additional precautionary measure.

The aircraft will remain at Kerry Airport until the Air Corps technical crew have completed their own checks.

There was no disruption to Kerry Airport operations as a result of this incident, with all flights in and out of the airport operating on schedule.

Airport manager Peter Moore thanked all the emergency and associated services which attended the incident.