Menu
26/08/2008
Ryanair Flight Diverted As Cabin Pressure Lost
A Ryanair flight has been forced from the sky after a dramatic loss of cabin pressure.
Sixteen passengers were receiving medical treatment for earache in France after flight FR9336 from Bristol made its unscheduled landing.
The aircraft was diverted to Limoges in central France.
Ryanair has said it has sent an engineer to establish what happened.
In a statement posted on its website, Ryanair said the loss of pressure "caused the oxygen masks on board to deploy".
"All 168 passengers disembarked safely upon landing.
"A total of 16 passengers together with five accompanying family members have been transferred, at their request, to a local hospital complaining of earache."
Ryanair's Chief Executive Michael O'Leary has denied reports by passengers that their oxygen masks had not been working.
"The oxygen masks were working, the correct safety procedures were followed."
It is reported that passengers had also complained that they were not told immediately why the aircraft was descending so quickly.
Arctic explorer Pen Hadow, who was on the flight with his family said: "There was no physical presence (from Ryanair) and absolutely no sense of any sort of frontline communication with us.
"Some people thought we were going to die - that is how frightening it was."
However, Mr O'Leary said passengers had been told immediately why the aircraft was descending so quickly.
"The pilot did make an announcement once he got down to 8,000ft, when it's safe to take oxygen masks off."
Police said the jet came down 8,000m in five minutes and an initial inspection of the plane had not revealed any causes for the depressurisation.
The airline said a replacement aircraft had been flown to Stansted Airport to Limoges and had taken the remaining passengers to Barcelona.
The remaining passengers were expected to continue on to Girona later today.
It has also emerged that a second air incident took place, with a Ryanair flight from Liverpool to Sardinia diverted to Stansted following a 'technical problem'.
Passengers were transferred to a replacement aircraft.
(DS)
Sixteen passengers were receiving medical treatment for earache in France after flight FR9336 from Bristol made its unscheduled landing.
The aircraft was diverted to Limoges in central France.
Ryanair has said it has sent an engineer to establish what happened.
In a statement posted on its website, Ryanair said the loss of pressure "caused the oxygen masks on board to deploy".
"All 168 passengers disembarked safely upon landing.
"A total of 16 passengers together with five accompanying family members have been transferred, at their request, to a local hospital complaining of earache."
Ryanair's Chief Executive Michael O'Leary has denied reports by passengers that their oxygen masks had not been working.
"The oxygen masks were working, the correct safety procedures were followed."
It is reported that passengers had also complained that they were not told immediately why the aircraft was descending so quickly.
Arctic explorer Pen Hadow, who was on the flight with his family said: "There was no physical presence (from Ryanair) and absolutely no sense of any sort of frontline communication with us.
"Some people thought we were going to die - that is how frightening it was."
However, Mr O'Leary said passengers had been told immediately why the aircraft was descending so quickly.
"The pilot did make an announcement once he got down to 8,000ft, when it's safe to take oxygen masks off."
Police said the jet came down 8,000m in five minutes and an initial inspection of the plane had not revealed any causes for the depressurisation.
The airline said a replacement aircraft had been flown to Stansted Airport to Limoges and had taken the remaining passengers to Barcelona.
The remaining passengers were expected to continue on to Girona later today.
It has also emerged that a second air incident took place, with a Ryanair flight from Liverpool to Sardinia diverted to Stansted following a 'technical problem'.
Passengers were transferred to a replacement aircraft.
(DS)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 April 2006
Aircraft bomb scare declared a 'hoax'
A Ryanair flight has returned to Dublin following a bomb scare which was later revealed to have been a hoax. The Boeing 737, which was en route from Paris to Dublin, was diverted to Prestwick Airport yesterday afternoon after a note was handed to cabin crew saying that a bomb was on board the flight.
Aircraft bomb scare declared a 'hoax'
A Ryanair flight has returned to Dublin following a bomb scare which was later revealed to have been a hoax. The Boeing 737, which was en route from Paris to Dublin, was diverted to Prestwick Airport yesterday afternoon after a note was handed to cabin crew saying that a bomb was on board the flight.
12 April 2006
Flight diverted after bomb threat
Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire was closed after a plane was forced to make an emergency landing following a bomb alert. According to reports, the Ryanair flight en route from Paris to Dublin was diverted to Prestwick after claims that a bomb was onboard the plane.
Flight diverted after bomb threat
Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire was closed after a plane was forced to make an emergency landing following a bomb alert. According to reports, the Ryanair flight en route from Paris to Dublin was diverted to Prestwick after claims that a bomb was onboard the plane.
09 August 2007
Airline Starts Investigation Into Sinking Plane
Officials at First Choice airline are seeking an explanation after one of their aircraft sank into the tarmac at City of Derry airport. A flight carrying 180 passengers inbound from Salou had been instructed to wait on a remote runway after landing.
Airline Starts Investigation Into Sinking Plane
Officials at First Choice airline are seeking an explanation after one of their aircraft sank into the tarmac at City of Derry airport. A flight carrying 180 passengers inbound from Salou had been instructed to wait on a remote runway after landing.
13 May 2004
Passengers removed from Flybe flight
A party of 30 business travellers were escorted off a plane before it took off from Glasgow to Belfast City last night. Following allegations of serious disturbances and drunken antics on the aircraft shortly before take-off, police removed 30 passengers from the aircraft, a scheduled Flybe flight which was due to leave Glasgow at around 8.
Passengers removed from Flybe flight
A party of 30 business travellers were escorted off a plane before it took off from Glasgow to Belfast City last night. Following allegations of serious disturbances and drunken antics on the aircraft shortly before take-off, police removed 30 passengers from the aircraft, a scheduled Flybe flight which was due to leave Glasgow at around 8.
18 September 2003
Stranded Concorde cleared to leave Cardiff Airport
Following emergency repair work, a British Airways Concorde jet that was forced to land at Cardiff International Airport yesterday has been cleared for flight today. Engine problems, which developed after the supersonic jet left New York’s JFK airport yesterday afternoon, saw the aircraft diverted to Cardiff as a “precaution”.
Stranded Concorde cleared to leave Cardiff Airport
Following emergency repair work, a British Airways Concorde jet that was forced to land at Cardiff International Airport yesterday has been cleared for flight today. Engine problems, which developed after the supersonic jet left New York’s JFK airport yesterday afternoon, saw the aircraft diverted to Cardiff as a “precaution”.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
