Inquiry to re-examine controversial 1953 plane crash

A public inquiry will today begin investigating an Aer Lingus crash in 1953 which led to the controversial sacking of the plane’s pilot.

Nobody was seriously injured when the Aer Lingus flight from Dublin crashed into a field near Birmingham in Britain, but Captain TJ Hanley was sacked following an inquiry into the matter.

Mr Hanley vehemently protested his innocence up until his death ten years ago and insisted that foreign objects in the engines caused the crash.

At the time of his dismissal, he was leader of the Airline Pilots Association, which was in conflict with Aer Lingus.

The inquiry due to begin today was ordered by the Government to re-examine the evidence in the case.