It's just a nosewheel collapse for goodness sake mave292. On a worldwide basis this happens more frequently than you might care to believe.

From Boards.ie

Some good pictures halfway down this post

www.Frequencydb.com • View topic - Aer Arann incident at Shannon this a.m.

Excellent picture of the incident here

Photos: ATR ATR-72-212 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

I wonder if Ops have been able to contact our dear Chief Pilot yet?? Rumour has it that he was uncontactable for 3 days at the time of the Bristol uncontained engine failure. Although to be fair to him it did happen on a friday evening of a Bank Holiday weekend.

Aer Lingus are going to want to distance themselves as much as possible from this incident. This could well be the final nail as mave292 suggested.

There just lucky no one was injured this is a worring trend for RE as they just can't keep there ageing aircract in service, from tech delays to engine failures, Pso gone, and now this, the damage and the cost of repair and with a Aer Lingus Regional Craft out of service,this can't help Aer Arann what excuses will be made this time.......:{Feel sorry for the crew as they are sound guys and Girls but working in poor condition with very poor management.

I would have to disagree with the view that this incident would damage RE, or EI in any noticeable anyway (other than some disruption and associated costs of sourcing a replacement airframe).

On the face of it, the aircraft suffered a mechanical failure upon landing in unpleasant weather. No injuries and no pictures of a seriously damaged aircraft (to the average person who's interest in things aviation extends only as far as to whether their flight is on time, the aircraft looks like it could be back on the ramp in a day or two (and no, I'm not suggesting that it will be)).

If you want to compare this to other incidents, then may I suggest BA038 or FR4102 would be comparable (all be it that both had different circumstances to this). Both of the airlines who's aircraft were involved in those incidents are, AFAIK, doing reasonably well at present.

RE, like many carriers at present have their financial woes. I doubt this will have an effect either way, other than possibly raising the public awareness of the Aer Lingus Regional brand.

JAS you just dont know what your talking about as a previous employee I am glad I am away from the company and all they stand for you just don't know the half of it, and that aircraft won't be in service for a long while..
Come back when you know what your talking about......

@PB

While I defer to your insider knowledge, I do have some small amount of insight into RE, having carried out academic research on the business within the last 18 months.

My main point was that the incident would not, as was seemingly being suggested by some posters, in and of itself, lead directly to the closure to the operation, or damage either the RE or EI brands. If, however, the subsequent investigation were to highlight operational or maintenance shortcomings within the organisation, then that would be a different situation.

@wut
A few months old maybe in Aer Lingus colours but the aircraft is between 15 and 20 years old
@jas maybe not closure but when the Iaa arrive out to have a look they take a different approach also the AAIU will be reporting on this not good for management and staff to have incidents on a regular basis.

Why should the title be changed to Aer Lingus Regional? Is this not an Aer Lingus incident? The passengers presumably bought tickets on Aer Lingus?

When Colgan stuffed a Dash 8 into a house in Clarence NY, Continental were at immediate pains to try and distance themselves from any connection to the accident. Unfortunately all the passengers were holding Continental Airlines tickets, and when they bought the tickets expected the same level of safety and professionalism from the operation as if it were CAL mainline. The one enduring image of that event was of a full CAL logo on the tail sticking up out of the wreckage.

I guess my point is I will be interested to see how Aer Lingus PR handles this - thankfully minor event though it is. It is certainly an Aer Lingus event to handle. By saying it was Aer Lingus Regional, is a different message trying to be sent? How interesting.

Here's to One Level of Safety (and accountability)

The aircraft in question is just over 17 years old, leased from ABR.

Aer Lingus are not going to drop Aer Arann just because of it either. Can we get real but as JAS said if the subsequent investigation were to highlight operational or maintenance shortcomings. Then it would be the end of Aer Arann.

It wouldn't stop me from flying with them TBH.

Avation Herld have added pictures of it and they are close up on the damage caused.

Sell the Punters an Aer Lingus ticket, show the flight (codeshare or otherwise) as an Aer Lingus flight, you must live with the consequences/fallout.

If I was a punter, methinks I would read VERY carefully who was ACTUALLY flying me from A to B (or more likely Z) and take a train/rental car as appropriate on occasions, but, the punters don't. So. . . . . Caveat empo. . sumfin or another.

Harsh realities of aviation in 2011.

Link to the close-up pictures on Aviation Herald

Also, the nose gear must have collapsed with some force, where has the nose cone gone!? :confused:

Nose Cone removed to aid towing due to nose gear failure,normally towed on nose gear.

Has there been a definitive statement as to at what point the nose gear collapsed? What is upon touchdown, on roll out or as the aircraft turned onto the taxiway?

Ahhhh makes sense prop. Thanks :-)

Well I haven't heard anything official but looking at the pics that I put a link up to it had passed the holding point on taxiway ALPHA

Regards