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Today is Friday the 20th of March, 2026

We close out this week with the following stories...

Have a safe weekend!

Tom

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Ryanair issues statement after firefighters rush to plane at Manchester Airport

Flights were briefly suspended as crews worked at the scene

By Stephen Topping Senior reporter and Ramazani Mwamba News reporter

Ryanair has issued a statement after flights were briefly stopped and firefighters attended following an incident at Manchester Airport. Crews were seen in attendance at the airport on Thursday evening (March 19).

Article continues below

It followed an incident involving Ryanair flight RK558 Dublin to Manchester, which landed shortly after 6pm at Terminal 3. The Manchester Evening News understands firefighters were called to the airport to escort the plane as a precaution following a 'mechanical problem'.

Operations were suspended at Manchester Airport for around seven minutes while emergency services worked at the scene. It is believed that smoke was seen coming from the plane.

In a statement issued this morning (Friday), Ryanair stated that a 'minor tech issue' had affected the plane. The aircraft was inspected after passengers disembarked.

Images from the scene showed multiple emergency services vehicles stationed next to the aircraft. The scene later scaled down.

A Ryanair spokesperson said: "Flight RK558 from Dublin to Manchester (March 19) experienced a minor tech issue upon landing. Passengers and crew disembarked normally, and the aircraft was towed back to stand to be inspected by Ryanair engineers."

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/ryanair-manchester-airport-plane-firefighters-33627486

Five people injured by turbulence on board Delta Airlines flight from LA to Sydney

Three of the injured were taken to hospital.

By Molly Rose Magennis

Five people have been injured when turbulence hit a flight from LA to Sydney.

Paramedics were called to Sydney Airport as Delta Airlines flight DL 41 touched down about 6.45am on Friday.

Five people had suffered minor injuries, with three of them taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for further treatment.

Among the injured were three women and a man. The age and gender of the fifth person is unknown.

It’s believed those injured were cabin crew members.

Most of the injuries included back pain, headaches and knee pain.

A spokesperson from Delta told 7NEWS.com.au the flight had encountered “brief turbulence”.

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our people and our customers, and our priority is taking care of the impacted crew members,” they said.

There were 245 passengers and 15 crew members on board the Airbus A350.

https://7news.com.au/news/five-people-injured-by-turbulence-on-board-delta-airlines-flight-from-la-to-sydney--c-22004178

NTSB Final Report: Maule M-5-210C

The Pilot Reported That Upon Landing In The Tailwheel-Equipped Airplane, It Encountered A Crosswind

Location: Eureka, Montana Accident Number: WPR26LA055
Date & Time: December 9, 2025, 14:00 Local Registration: N339X
Aircraft: Maule M-5-210C Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Ferry

Analysis: The pilot reported that upon landing in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, it encountered a crosswind. The right wing lifted, and the left wing dropped and struck the runway, contacting the asphalt surface. The pilot reported that he did not apply appropriate crosswind control inputs during landing. The airplane subsequently ground looped and exited the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and aileron.

The pilot reported no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing on runway 19 with light and variable wind at 5 knots.

The pilot added that the accident flight was his first flight in about 7 years, but could not remember exactly when his last flight was.

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be -- The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in crosswind conditions.

Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent flight experience.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov

Today in History

57 Years ago today: On 20 March 1969 A United Arab Airlines Ilyushin Il-18 crashed during landing at Aswan Airport, Egypt, killing 100 occupants; 5 survived the accident.

Date: Thursday 20 March 1969
Time: 02:00
Type: Ilyushin Il-18D
Owner/operator: United Arab Airlines - UAA
Registration: SU-APC
MSN: 188011301
Year of manufacture: 1969
Total airframe hrs: 128 hours
Fatalities: Fatalities: 100 / Occupants: 105
Other fatalities: 0
Aircraft damage: Destroyed, written off
Category: Accident
Location: Aswan Airport (ASW) -    Egypt
Phase: Landing
Nature: Passenger - Non-Scheduled/charter/Air Taxi
Departure airport: Jeddah International Airport (JED/OEJD)
Destination airport: Aswan Airport (ASW/HESN)

Narrative:
A United Arab Airlines Ilyushin Il-18 crashed during landing at Aswan Airport, Egypt, killing 100 occupants; 5 survived the accident.

Rising sand in the Aswan area caused the visibility to drop from 10 km to 2-3 km. The flight had made 2 missed NDB approaches to Aswan Airport and was approaching for the third time when it suddenly banked right. The right wing contacted the left side of the runway 1120 m from the threshold. The wing broke off and the aircraft crashed in flames.

PROBABLE CAUSE: "Pilot descended below the minimum safe altitude without having the runway lights clearly in sight. A contributory factor was fatigue arising from continuous working hours without suitable rest periods."

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