US aircraft makes emergency landing in Shannon
An aircraft carrying US military personnel was today forced to make an emergency landing at an Irish airport.
The jet, flying from Maine in Boston to Leipzig in Germany, touched down safely at Shannon Airport after the pilot reported a problem with one of the aircraft’s engines.
Emergency services at Shannon, were on standby as the World Airways MD-11 jet landed shortly before 3.30pm.
The aircraft was carrying 257 troops and crew.
A spokeswoman for Shannon Airport said the emergency service – which included units of the fire brigade from Shannon Town and ambulances from Ennis and Limerick – were not needed.
Engineers are inspecting the aircraft before deciding whether it is safe to continue its journey or if the troops have to spend the night in local hotels.
