Update: The aircraft continued its journey shortly after 2.00pm Friday as flight UA-3908.
A flight from France to the United States diverted to Shannon Airport this evening after the crew declared an emergency, reporting a suspected fuel leak and that they had to shut down one of their aircraft’s two engines.
United flight UA-331 was travelling from Paris to Washington at the time. There were 96 passengers and crew on board.
The Boeing 767-322(ER) jet was almost two hours into its journey and about 200 kilometres west of Loop Head when the crew turned around, routing northeast over Co Galway initially, before turning again and commencing their approach to Shannon.
The crew had confirmed to air traffic controllers that they had shut down their No. 2 (right) engine. The crew reported a ‘possible fuel leak.’
Once controllers were advised of the nature of the emergency, airport authorities were notified of the unscheduled arrival while the emergency services were also alerted.
Units of Clare County Fire and Rescue Service from Shannon station were mobilised in support of the airports own fire service. Fire crews from Ennis station, who were tied up at a road traffic collision, were unable to respond at first so Limerick City Fire and Rescue Service was requested to deploy an emergency tender to the incident. A short time later firefighters from Ennis became free again and were in a position to respond to the airport.
The National Ambulance Service also deployed resources while Gardaí were alerted.
Emergency vehicles were mobilised to holding points adjacent to Shannon’s runway in advance of the jet’s arrival. The flight landed safely at 6.38pm and pursued along the runway by fire crews who then accompanied the jet to the terminal where ground crews were standing by.
According to United’s website, the flight diverted to Shannon for an ‘aircraft maintenance inspection.’
The flight was later cancelled. It’s understood that passengers will be accommodated in hotels overnight and that a replacement aircraft will be flown to Shannon tomorrow to complete the flight.
