NTSB Sending Team To Assist In Metroliner Investigation

The NTSB is sending three investigators to assist the Government of Ireland as it investigates the crash of an airliner this morning.

At about 0945 local time Thursday, a Swearingen SA-227 Metroliner (Spanish registration EC-ITP), operated by Flightline/Manx2 Air as flight 7100 from Belfast, Northern Ireland, crashed after attempting a landing at Cork Airport, Cork, Ireland. Twelve people were aboard the aircraft, and there are reports of both fatalities and survivors.

According to media reports including the Star newspaper in Canada, the Sweringen was attempting to land in heavy fog at the time of the accident. The aircraft was reportedly on its third landing attempt when it touched down short of the runway and flipped over onto its back, fatally injuring six of the 12 people on board. The fog was reportedly so thick that air traffic controllers could not see the accident, only hear it. There were 10 passengers and two crew on board.

Sweringen SA 227 File Photo

NTSB senior air safety investigator Dan Bower has been designated the U.S. Accredited Representative and is being assisted by an NTSB systems investigator and an NTSB operations investigator.  An FAA investigator is also joining the team.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov