Two probes due into Shannon plane skid

Two investigations are to be carried out after a plane skidded off a runway on landing at Shannon Airport yesterday.

The Irish Aviation Authority and the Air Accident Investigation Unit will both attempt to piece together the events that led to the plane's veering onto the grass median, on its second attempted landing.

An aircraft inspection will continue today.

All 25 passengers on board the Aer Arann flight from Manchester to Shannon escaped unharmed.

Inspector of air accidents at the Air Accident Investigation Unit Graham Liddy said there was a very strong cross-wind when the plane was attempting to land, and the pilot was not comfortable with the first attempt.

"The nose wheel was damaged during the landing and the plane then skidded to a halt," he said.