Aircorps MATS flight makes emergency landing

[Morpheus]

http://www.breakingnews.ie/2006/05/30/story261114.html

From www.breakingnews.ie ....

The Air Corps was today praised for its quick action after a small fire broke out on a Government aircraft carrying Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern.

Mr Ahern had just left Cork Airport on the 30-year-old Beechcraft plane last night when one of his officials noticed flames flickering from a panel beside a window.

A member of crew moved the official to another seat and the Air Corps crew on board decided to return to Cork Airport where it was met by several fire crews on standby on the runway.

The minister and other passengers were brought to the airport lounge and were later transferred to Dublin by the Gulf Stream Jet at around 1am.

A spokesman for Mr Ahern said today: “We can confirm there was an incident on board a ministerial air transport plane about seven minutes after departing Cork on its return flight to Dublin on Monday evening about 9.45pm.

“Smoke and fumes were noticed emanating from a panel beside a window followed by a very short flicker of flame.

“The incident was immediately dealt with professionally by the captain, co-pilot and a crew member, and the plane returned safely to Cork Airport where Minister Dermot Ahern and three officials disembarked.



“The minister would like to thank the Air Corps crew for their professionalism and swift action and the Duty Manager and Fire Crew at Cork Airport for their prompt assistance.”

Mr Ahern was in Cork to attend a ceremony marking the one-millionth passport issued from Cork Passport Office.

He later addressed a public meeting on illegal immigrants at the Silver Springs Hotel.

Mr Ahern is believed to be a confident flyer and has clocked up thousands of air miles in his job, especially as a European envoy for UN secretary general Kofi Annan last year.

The delegation on board last night’s flight included Foreign Affairs Department secretary general Dermot Gallagher and two senior ministerial advisors.

The US-built Beechcraft plane is the Government’s third official aircraft and is usually used for short-haul trips to London or around the country.

The seven-seater was originally used for patrolling coastal waters to monitor breaches of fishing regulations.


well done lads!