A Ryanair flight from Birmingham was forced to declare an in-flight emergency on approach to Dublin Airport before landing safely.
DUBLIN — Flight FR661, operated by a Boeing 737-800 (registration EI-EBC), departed Birmingham Airport at 08:37 BST on what was scheduled to be a short, routine hop across the Irish Sea to the Irish capital.
The flight proceeded normally until the aircraft began its initial descent into Dublin. While passing through 8,000 feet over the Irish Sea, the flight crew transmitted squawk code 7700 (the international general emergency frequency) to request priority handling from air traffic control.
The request for an expedited landing is believed to have been prompted by a medical emergency involving a passenger on board.
Air traffic controllers cleared the aircraft for a direct approach to Dublin Airport, where flight FR661 touched down safely on Runway 28L approximately 40 minutes after taking off from Birmingham. Emergency ground crews were on standby to assist the aircraft upon arrival at gate 109.
