A US-bound jet was forced to return to Shannon Airport last night after the crew reported hearing a ‘bump’ on departure.
Flight LL-289, operated by charter airline Miami Air International, departed at 6.06pm and immediately after take-off the crew reported an issue to controllers.
The pilot confirmed that he heard a bump but there was no emergency and the return was just “precautionary”.
The crew also told controllers that they wished to burn off some fuel before returning. The jet flew a pattern for about 20 minutes before making a normal approach and landing about 25 minutes after originally departing.
Fire crews were standing by to meet the aircraft as a precaution.
The pilot suspected the aircraft may have suffered a tail strike during take-off. The flight was able to continue its journey shortly after 8.00pm.
The flight is understood to have originated in the Middle East and arrived in Shanon via an airport in Greece. After leaving Shannon, the crew flew to Gander in Newfoundland before continuing to Portsmouth in New Hampshire which operates as a civilian and military airport.
The airline is a regular visitor to Shannon usually transporting military personnel on behalf of the US military.