Plane was just 15 seconds from crash on runway

A RYANAIR plane carrying 170 people from Cork Airport came within 15 seconds of smashing into a police van as it was accelerating down the runway.

A new report by the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) reveals the driver of the airport police vehicle only left the runaway after becoming aware that the aircraft, which had been given clearance, was accelerating for take-off.

The incident, which occurred at 9.21am on July 22, 2009, involved a Boeing 737 operated by Ryanair with 164 passengers and six crew on board.