A transatlantic jet with more than 160 passengers on board was forced to declare an emergency and return to Shannon airport yesterday after the pilot reported a problem with one of the jet's engines only minutes after take-off.
The Continental Airlines flight from Shannon to Newark, New Jersey, was only 20 minutes into its journey and still climbing to its cruising altitude when the engine problem triggered an alarm in the cockpit.
One of the Boeing 757-200's two engines was shut down as the crew initiated emergency procedures ahead of its return to Shannon. Crash crews at the airport were also alerted while local authority emergency services were scrambled.
Six units of the fire brigade from Ennis and Shannon town were mobilised to the airport shortly before midday along with ambulances from Ennis and Limerick city.
The massive fleet of emergency vehicles stood by at the airport fire station as the jet limped back to Shannon on its one remaining engine.
The crew was also forced to dump thousands of litres of aviation fuel before landing, a common procedure in such emergencies aimed at reducing the risk of fire during an emergency landing.
Flight CO25 touched down safely at around 12.05pm as crash crews chased the jet to the end of the three-kilometre runway and surrounded it.
The aircraft remained on the main runway blocking it for 30 minutes before it was towed to the terminal building.
A spokesman for the Shannon Airport Authority confirmed the damaged engine would have to be replaced and passengers would have to spend last night in local hotels.
"It is hoped that the engine can be replaced overnight and that the passengers can continue their journey on Saturday morning," the spokesman added.