Cessna lands safely at Shannon after fuel shortage drama

A light aircraft made a safe landing at Shannon Airport last night after sparking a rescue operation when it reported difficulties over the Atlantic Ocean.

The Fenit and Aran Island lifeboats were both launched as a precaution when the pilot of the Cessna plane issued a distress call 300 miles west of Shannon at around 11.30pm.

The pilot, who was flying the plane solo from Canada to England, told air traffic controllers he feared he did not have enough fuel to reach his destination and may have to ditch in the ocean.

However, he safely reached Shannon Airport at around 1.40am and was due to continue his journey this morning after spending the night in a local hotel.