Ryanair launched an urgent investigation last night after 123 people were evacuated from a Boeing 737-800 at Stansted Airport when smoke was seen coming out of one of its engines.
The incident happened shortly after flight FR296 from Dublin landed at Stansted at 5.20 p.m.
As the aircraft taxied to the terminal building, Ryanair said, the airport's air traffic control centre told the crew that smoke could be seen coming out of one of the aircraft's engines. The crew initiated evacuation procedures, immediately bringing the aircraft to a halt and shutting down the engine.
Inflatable chutes at the aircraft's emergency exits were then activated to enable passengers and crew to get to the ground.
The airport's fire brigade arrived at the aircraft within minutes and sprayed foam and powder at the engine.
Two passengers received treatment for what were described as minor foot injuries and the passengers and crew were taken to the airport terminal building.
The aircraft had been delayed for over an hour at Dublin airport prior to takeoff. Ryanair said last night that this was because a plastic bag had flown into the other engine. The company said this was not related to the smoke seen at Stansted airport.
Ryanair have gradually introduced the Boeing 737-800 aircraft on its routes over the past two years, so the aircraft is relatively new. In a statement, Ryanair said the aircraft was immediately removed from service for a full inspection by its engineers and the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) is expected to launch its own investigation into the incident.
A Ryanair spokeswoman said reports that one of the aircraft's engines was on fire after landing were "not true" and only smoke was reported during the incident.
Essex police had initially reported that fire was seen in one of the aircraft's engines but last night a police spokesman clarified the information from scene of the incident, telling The Irish Times: "Only smoke was seen, not fire. Obviously the firefighters were called and they have to make sure that there is not something serious underneath the smoke. There is a saying that there is no smoke without fire but only smoke was seen."
Stansted Airport, which is about 60 miles north of London, is one of the busiest airports in southern England.