Shannon airport was closed for 40 minutes yesterday after two tyres on a transatlantic jet exploded and disintegrated as the aircraft landed.
American Airlines flight AA92 was en route from Dublin to Chicago via Shannon and was carrying 115 passengers and 12 crew members at the time. No one was injured in the incident which occurred at 10.55am during a scheduled stopover at the midwest airport.
Immediately after the Boeing 767-323ER touched down, emergency crews rushed to the aircraft. Airport police and fire personnel attending classes in training school reported to the fire station.
Despite the loss of two tyres on the main undercarriage, the pilot maintained control and brought the aircraft to a safe stop.
It is thought that the tyres burst as a result of a heavier-than-usual landing.
The aircraft managed to move under its own power off the runway to a nearby taxiway.
Tyre debris was removed from the runway after a meticulous search was completed by crews, on foot and in several support vehicles.
Passengers were taken by coaches to the airport terminal building where they were provided with refreshments pending a new departure time late last evening, after new tyres were fitted.