An Aer Arann plane landing at Manchester airport from Galway last year crashed out of control into runway gear after its brakes failed, an inquiry has reported.
The Aer Arann plane suffered ‘significant’ damage after touching down on the runway as it taxied towards the Terminal One gate with dozens of passengers.
Now, an official report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has revealed that the pilot of the ATR 72 -200 aeroplane, which had flown in from Galway tried to apply the brakes after landing, but the jet continued to move forward until it hit the runway mirror.
Investigators found that the plane moved between 10 and 14 metres beyond the usual stop position area and only came to a halt after its engines were shut down.
Although none of the 33 passengers or four crew was injured, ambulance and fire crews were called to the scene shortly after the incident, at about 10.30am on October 21 last year.
The report says: "The aircraft started moving slowly forwards so the ground crew ran clear.
"Both pilots attempted to stop the aircraft by applying the toe brakes, without success.
"Recognising that the aircraft was not under control, the commander gave an alert call to the cabin crew and instructed the co-pilot to shut the engines down."
Investigators said a hydraulic fuse in the parking brake line failed, leading to a loss of pressure.
They examined the plane on the ground after the incident and found the fuse was cracked but said it was impossible to say when it happened.
The report revealed that after the incident, talks were held between the airport, Health and Safety Executive, the airline and the Civil Aviation Authority to discuss ground handling.
Concerns were expressed that the ground crew were put into a ‘hazardous’ situation as the aircraft began to move forward, but no new safety recommendations were made following the discussions.
At the time an airport worker said: "The air around the terminal stank of fuel and it must have been quite an impact.
"It’s the first time I have seen anything like this happen. It was pretty scary as well as dramatic."
