Ryanair flight forced to turn back to Dublin after reported ‘loud bang’

The airline confirmed to JOE that there was a 'suspected tech issue with the aircraft'.

A Ryanair flight travelling from Dublin Airport was forced to return to the Irish capital after its crew reportedly heard a "loud bang". Flight FR670 was flying from Dublin to Birmingham on Thursday evening (18 January) but had to turn back due to what Ryanair described as a "suspected tech issue with the aircraft". Shaun's Aviation, the Twitter account run by a young plane spotter that posts news and incidents from Dublin Airport, reported that FR670 "informed ATC [air traffic control] that they heard a loud bang just after takeoff".

A member if cabin crew has informed the pilots that it is a suspected Tail strike, the aircraft will be met by engineers on the ground in dublin

The aircraft will NOT declare an emergency.#Aviation #dublinairport #AvGeek #emergency #FR670 pic.twitter.com/Y5Z9Jfxc1X — Shauns_Aviation??✈️ (@Shauns_Aviation) January 18, 2024

Ryanair flight forced to turn back to Dublin after reported 'loud bang'

"Pilots also received a warning light, but I’m unsure what the warning is. The aircraft is now returning to Dublin," the account added, before following up with the update:

"A member of cabin crew has informed the pilots that it is a suspected tail strike, the aircraft will be met by engineers on the ground in Dublin. The aircraft will NOT declare an emergency."

In another follow-up, Shaun's Aviation said: "The aircraft has landed and vacated the runway safely. All emergency vehicles are standing down." In a statement to JOE about the incident, a Ryanair spokesperson said:

“This flight from Dublin to Birmingham (18 Jan) returned to Dublin Airport due a suspected tech issue with the aircraft. The aircraft landed normally and was taken for inspection by engineers. "To minimise disruption to passengers, a replacement aircraft was quickly arranged to operate this flight, which departed for Birmingham 1hr 40mins later.”

When asked by a commenter what a tail strike is, Shaun's Aviation responded: "It’s basically when the tail of the plane hits/rubs off the floor."

It’s basically when the tail of the plane hits/rubs off the floor, pic.twitter.com/wQ2sxNlJB7

— Shauns_Aviation??✈️ (@Shauns_Aviation) January 18, 2024

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