Galway-based businessman and entrepreneur Declan Ganley tweeted his relief after a Shannon-bound aircraft he was travelling on was forced to turn back to the US last night 10 minutes into a six-hour flight to Ireland.
The United Airlines aircraft suffered engine trouble forcing the pilot to turn back and land at Newark Liberty International airport where it had taken off just minutes previously.
The aircraft, originally scheduled to depart the US at 7.30pm, was bound for Shannon when it turned around.
Businessman Declan Ganley, who was on board, stated his relief on landing at Newark tweeting “Thank GOD! Landed back at Newark on one engine, United 25 Newark to Shannon, we had taken off, up 10 minutes, 1 engine went out, returned.”
"OK, looks like you lot will have to put up with me for another while. Thank you Boeing, thank you #United 25 pilots, thank you God," he wrote in another tweet.
A replacement Boeing 757 aircraft was found and passengers departed the New Jersey airport at 10.50pm (local time), landing safely at Shannon Airport at 9.36am.
Newark Liberty International Airport is a major hub for United Airlines, which is the airport’s largest tenant.
