The Vimy Vickers aircraft which crossed almost 3,218km (2,000 miles) of Atlantic ocean in gales a week ago had to make an emergency landing near Cahir, Co Tipperary, at the weekend.
The replica aircraft, which was used by US businessman and aviator Steve Fossett to recreate the Alcock and Brown first transatlantic flight, was flying to Waterford at the time.
It was due to pick up fuel before flying on to Britain, when pilot Mark Rebholz and co-pilot and owner, Peter MacMillan, were forced to ditch in a cornfield late on Friday night. Neither man was hurt, but both reported poor visibility in fog conditions. Local gardaí were informed and the owner of the cornfield agreed to cut the corn crop in the 200- acre field on Saturday to allow the aircraft to take off again.
It emerged that the field already had an aerial reputation, as it was used as a landing strip for aircraft in the 1940s. The US aircraft landed safely in Northamptonshire later on Saturday.
However, efforts are being made in Clifden to raise enough funds to purchase the Vimy Vickers aircraft and keep it in Connemara as a tourist attraction.
