A jet plane has been forced into an emergency landing after its cockpit window was shattered in a dramatic in-flight incident. The Aer Lingus jet bound for Manchester Airport declared an emergency as it flew over the Irish Sea.
The Radar Box flight-tracking service said Aer Lingus flight EI3326 broadcast urgent message 7700 squawk, which indicates a “general emergency” and usually highlights a technical problem with the aircraft. It was later reported that the post referred to a “badly shattered right windshield”.
The flight took off from Dublin Airport at 3.15pm on Tuesday bound for Manchester Airport but was forced to turn around and fly back to Dublin, ExpressOnline reports.
A spokesperson for Emerald Airlines, operator of Aer Lingus regional services, said: “Aer Lingus regional, operated by Emerald Airlines, can confirm that flight EI3326 from Dublin Airport to Manchester Airport, on 31 May, returned to Dublin shortly after takeoff due to a technical problem on board.
“The plane landed safely in Dublin shortly thereafter.”
Squawking is a way for an aircraft to declare an emergency with air traffic control, so that it can receive ground assistance and permission to land ahead of other aircraft. If an aircraft transponder is switched to code 7700, all air traffic control facilities in the area are immediately alerted that the aircraft is in an emergency.
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