Flight lands safely following departure Scare from Belfast

A transatlantic flight has landed safely at Shannon Airport after declaring an emergency.

The United Airlines service to the US was forced to make the unscheduled landing shortly after take-off from Belfast International Airport.

A spokeswoman for Shannon Airport said flight UA-76 to Newark had declared an emergency but landed safely just before 2.30pm.

Passengers on the plane were told there was an issue with the Boeing 757's landing gear.

There were concerns that the front wheels could not be locked to take the impact of a landing.

It is understood the pilots circled around the west coast of Ireland for about two hours burning off fuel before making their approach into Shannon.

The airport's emergency crews including firefighters were on the runway for the landing.

Paul Eurich, 47, a member of the US Army, was one of a number of people enlisted by the cabin crew to help in the event of an emergency evacuation on landing.

He was returning home after visiting his daughter in Belfast.

He said: "I was just told about going through procedures of opening the door. I was to go down first and assist people off while another guy stayed up top.

"I was not very worried to be honest. The entire crew were very professional - calm, relaxed and they kept passengers informed and calm.

"I was happy to help."