The Government jet was forced to abort a landing at Dublin Airport early yesterday after a mechanical fault was identified in the nose wheel. It was due to collect the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern. The pilot of the Gulfstream G4 executive jet was alerted to the fault through a warning light on the dashboard shortly after taking off from Baldonnel Aerodrome at 8.30 a.m. en route to Cork via Dublin Airport.
A Department of Defence spokesman said the problem related to the manoeuvrability of the nose wheel on the ground.
"It seems the wheel could not do a full turn but could only turn to a certain extent. It meant the jet could take off and land but could not navigate itself properly on the ground." Because of the fault, he said, the aircraft "was seen to be not fully operational" and returned to Baldonnel.
In its place, the Air Corps made a Casa maritime patrol aircraft available to the Taoiseach, who was flying to Cork, where he had a number of official engagements.
Initially, it was believed the faulty nose wheel had failed to retract after take-off. But the Defence spokesman said: "There was no problem with the retraction mechanism and no danger of any description."
He added the problem would not have impacted on the aircraft's manoeuvrability in the air or aerodynamics.
Aer Corps mechanics at Baldonnel have begun an examination of the Government jet. The Defence spokesman said it was too early to tell when it would be back in service.
