Investigators examine fuel levels on board Cork Airport plane crash

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MOLLY MULDOON,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

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Emergency services respond to the crash which cost six people their lives

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Investigators are attempting to determine how much fuel the Manx2 aircraft had left in its tank before it crashed at Cork Airport killing six people last Thursday morning.

The 19-year-old Fairchild Metroliner aircraft crashed during its third attempt to land in thick fog.

Air accident investigators now want to rule out a fuel shortage as a reason why the Spanish pilot did not divert to Waterford, Shannon or Kerry airports. Visibility at the time of the crash was reported to be between 300-350 meters, but there were no fog issues in Waterford or Kerry.

The flight with 19 members on board left Belfast City Airport shortly after 8 a.m., but due to dense fog circled Cork Airport for about 30 minutes after two landing attempts were abandoned.

The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) have so far been unable to establish the exact amount of remaining fuel as a wing fuel tank was destroyed during impact.

The AAIU will now examine fuel status and refueling records as it attempts to calculate how much fuel remained. The group held their first meeting yesterday at Gormanstown, Co. Meath, where the wreckage of the aircraft has been transported.

A preliminary examination of the Metroliner’s remains shows there was no major structural failing or on-board fire prior to landing.

Data from the cockpit recorder and the black box will be analyzed over the coming week.

Jurgen White, the AAIU chief inspector, said that the investigation would be painstaking and methodical.

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