Plane skids off runway as nose wheel collapses

PASSENGERS and crew on board an Aer Lingus flight escaped injury yesterday when the nose wheel on their plane collapsed shortly after the flights second attempted landing at Shannon Airport.

Flight EI-3601, the 8.50am service from Manchester, operated on behalf of Aer Lingus by Aer Arann, was scheduled to arrive in Shannon at 10.15am. There were 21 passengers and four crew on board.

The flight had aborted an earlier attempt to land because of winds which were reported to be gusting up to 64km/h at the time.

Air traffic controllers are understood to have advised the crew of possible turbulence in the area around the runways touch down zone.

On its first approach, the pilot told controllers he wished to perform a “go-around” and land again.

The flight landed on its second attempt at about 10.22am.

However, the ATR-72’s nose wheel appeared to collapse suddenly. The plane is understood to have skidded along the runway for about 100 metres before it veered left off the runway, leaving the aircraft crippled on the grass verge where it stopped.

Air traffic controllers notified airport crash crews and the airport’s emergency plan quickly swung into operation.

The accident occurred at the intersection of the airports main runway and taxiway A, leaving other aircraft unable to land or take off.

Shannon, which has only one operational runway, was closed for most of the day as a result of the incident. Airport authorities had to await the arrival of officials from the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) of the Department of Transport before the plane could be moved.

The first AAIU inspector arrived at 1pm and was taken directly to the aircraft.

Fire brigade units from Shannon town and ambulances from Limerick and Ennis were sent to the scene. A rapid response advanced paramedic was also mobilised while additional fire brigade units from Ennis were on standby.

Meanwhile, cabin crew evacuated the plane and the pilot and co-pilot remained on board for a time to shut down the plane’s engines before leaving the aircraft. Passengers were taken to the terminal building where they were assessed by HSE paramedics. None were found to have sustained any injuries and no one required treatment.

Aer Arann said in a statement: “Aer Arann wishes to confirm an incident at Shannon Airport involving Aer Lingus Regional flight EI 3601, operated by Aer Arann. The flight was operated by an ATR 72-212 aircraft.

“The aircraft departed Manchester Airport at 8.50am and was due to arrive in Shannon Airport at 10.15am. As the aircraft landed on its second approach at approximately 10.30am it experienced a suspected failure of the nose wheel landing gear and veered off the runway onto the grass. The emergency services at Shannon Airport were activated.

“There were 21 passengers and four crew members on board. All passengers and crew safely disembarked the aircraft and no injuries have been reported.

“Aer Arann cannot speculate as to the cause of the incident and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU), branch of the Department of Transport have been informed.”

Several flights were left grounded at Shannon while incoming aircraft were diverted to Dublin and Cork. Passengers on board three transatlantic flights which were due to depart were deplaned and taken to the terminal building.

Hundreds of other passengers were taken by bus to Cork and Dublin to recommence their journeys.