Ryanair Skidded Off Runway Hits Concrete Wall And Explode…
Ryanair Jet Skids Off Runway, Slams into Concrete Barrier and Explodes in Fiery Crash
A Ryanair passenger jet carrying 172 people skidded off the runway, slammed into a concrete barrier, and burst into flames during a botched landing attempt at Shannon Airport in western Ireland on Monday afternoon. The horrifying incident resulted in multiple fatalitiesand dozens of serious injuries, prompting a full-scale emergency response and an immediate suspension of airport operations.
Authorities confirmed late Monday that at least 14 peoplewere killed in the fiery crash, with another 63 injured, including 19 in critical condition. Passengers onboard described a terrifying final descent marked by severe turbulence, erratic maneuvers, and the deafening impact of the aircraft striking the ground and exploding.
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What Happened?
The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, was operating as **Ryanair Flight FR452
from London Stansted to Shannon. Weather conditions had worsened in the hour before landing, with strong crosswinds, heavy rainfall, and low visibility due to dense fog blanketing the region.
According to preliminary flight data, the plane approached Runway 24at an unusually steep angle. Witnesses say the aircraft appeared unstable as it touched down, with one wing dipping dangerously low. After briefly making contact with the tarmac, the plane veered sharply to the left, skidded across the wet surface, and crashed through the airport’s perimeter safety fencing before slamming into a concrete maintenance wall.
Seconds later, the aircraft erupted into flames, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky. The impact ruptured a fuel tank, sparking an explosion that tore through the midsection of the fuselage.
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Emergency Response
Emergency crews from Shannon Airport, local fire brigades, and surrounding counties were dispatched within minutes. First responders battled the blaze for nearly **45 minutes** before bringing it under control. Teams worked frantically to extract passengers from the wreckage, using hydraulic cutters and thermal imaging to locate survivors trapped in the burning fuselage.
Ambulances and helicopters transported the injured to nearby hospitals in Limerick, Galway, and Ennis. Medical staff described the injuries as “extensive and traumatic,” with many passengers suffering from **burns, fractures, and blunt force trauma*
.
Airport Fire Chief Declan Murraypraised the efforts of his crew, stating:
> “Our teams responded within seconds. Without their bravery, the loss of life would have been far greater.”
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Victims and Survivors
As of Tuesday morning, 14 fatalities have been confirmed—**10 passengers and 4 crew members**, including the **first officer**. The **pilot, Captain Fiona Walsh**, 42, was among the survivors and is being treated for head injuries and smoke inhalation.
Several passengers were praised for heroic efforts to assist fellow travelers. One, **Patrick O’Rourke**, a firefighter from Cork who was traveling with his wife and two children, pulled at least three people from the rear of the aircraft before being overwhelmed by smoke.
> “I could feel the heat behind me, and I knew we had seconds. The screams, the chaos… I’ll never forget it,” O’Rourke told RTÉ News from his hospital bed.
Ryanair Responds
Ryanair CEO **Michael O’Leary** appeared at a press briefing Monday evening:
> “This is a dark day for Ryanair. Our hearts go out to those affected by this unimaginable tragedy. We are doing everything in our power to support the families of the victims and the survivors.”
The airline has grounded all Boeing 737-800 aircraft pending preliminary findings and is cooperating with investigators from the **Irish Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU)** and international aviation authorities.
Passengers’ families have begun arriving at Shannon and nearby hospitals, where Ryanair has set up a crisis support center with grief counselors, translators, and legal advisors.
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### **Investigation Underway**
An investigation team from the **AAIU** has already recovered the aircraft’s **flight data recorder** and **cockpit voice recorder**, known as the “black boxes.” Preliminary analysis is expected to begin within 48 hours.
While it is too early to determine the exact cause, investigators will examine several possible contributing factors, including:
* **Weather conditions**
* **Pilot error**
* **Mechanical failure**
* **Runway drainage and friction levels**
One initial concern is the aircraft’s **landing speed**, which may have been too high for the slick runway surface. Aviation analyst **Colm Fitzgerald** stated:
> “In wet and windy conditions, even minor miscalculations in speed or angle of descent can have catastrophic outcomes. This runway has seen multiple near-incidents in recent years.”
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### **Public and Political Reaction**
The Irish government has declared a **national day of mourning**, with flags flying at half-mast and a moment of silence observed in the Dáil. President **Michael D. Higgins** issued a heartfelt statement:
> “We mourn the lives lost in this dreadful incident and send our deepest sympathies to all those grieving today. The heroism of first responders and survivors offers a ray of hope in this tragedy.”
Social media has been flooded with messages of support for victims and their families, while aviation safety discussions have reignited across Ireland and Europe.
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### **Flight Safety Record and Concerns**
Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost carrier, has historically maintained a strong safety record. However, the airline has faced criticism in the past for **rapid flight schedules, minimal turnaround times**, and occasional **maintenance issues**.
In light of the crash, the **European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)** has signaled that it will review regional runway safety standards and pilot training procedures for adverse weather conditions.
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### **Passengers Share Harrowing Accounts**
Survivors described a scene of chaos inside the aircraft during the landing attempt. **Sara Donnelly**, 26, a university student from Galway, recalled:
> “There was screaming. The plane hit the ground and jerked violently. Then we were sliding, and everything went black. The smell of fuel was strong. I thought I was going to die.”
Another passenger, **John Aluko**, visiting from Nigeria, said he saw sparks outside the window before the explosion:
> “It was like a movie. People were jumping over seats, trying to break windows. I still hear the cries.”
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### **What Comes Next**
As investigations continue, Ryanair has suspended flights to and from Shannon Airport, and the affected runway remains closed. Passengers scheduled to travel over the next 72 hours have been advised to seek rebooking or refunds.
The final cause of the accident may take **months** to determine. However, in the short term, aviation authorities are expected to implement emergency safety reviews across major Irish and European airports.
The Ryanair crash at Shannon Airport marks one of the darkest days in modern Irish aviation history. As the nation mourns the victims and prays for the recovery of the injured, the focus turns to accountability, answers, and ensuring such a tragedy never occurs again.
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