The Government jet on which the Taoiseach was travelling to Brussels on Monday made an emergency landing after the crew reported a technical issue affecting it.
The Irish Air Corps Learjet 45, operating under the callsign Irish 258V, had taken off from Knock shortly after 4pm. Air traffic controllers at Shannon cleared it to climb to 23,000 feet but soon afterwards the pilot requested permission to stop the climb at 10,000 feet “for a moment”.
After appearing to resolve the issue on board, the crew asked Shannon for permission to climb again and was cleared to an altitude of 27,000 feet. But a few minutes later the crew asked to stop climbing and confirmed they wished to divert and land at Baldonnel. They were cleared to stop their climb at 15,000 feet.
In the next communication with controllers the pilot declared a “pan” which is a radio call used to signify an urgency on board but no immediate danger to passengers or aircraft.The plane landed safely at Baldonnel at 4.24pm.
It is understood the crew saw a warning light in the cockpit indicating a possible fault with one of the jet’s thrust reversers. The reverses are used to help slow the jet after landing by redirecting engine exhaust forward.
An Air Corps spokesperson confirmed the plane continued its journey after spending 48 minutes on the ground during which time engineers resolved the issue. It landed in Brussels shortly before 6.30pm.
The Air Corps Learjet 45 entered service in 2004. As well as flying Ministers, it also carries out national and international patient transfer services in conjunction with the Department of Health and Children.