Aviation accident investigators have identified problems with an engine on a plane which crashed a year ago in thick fog at Cork Airport.
Data from the flight recorder, taken 106 hours before the accident, shows a mismatch between the power delivered from either side of the ill-fated Manx2 twin turboprop.
The flight from Belfast crashed on its third attempt to land on February 10th, 2011, killing six people, including the pilot and co-pilot, and injuring six others.
An interim statement from the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) has said there were no pre-accident defects identified with the engines.
In a technical summary to mark 12 months since the tragedy it revealed that there was a control component issue on one of the engines.
It found the No.2 engine was giving out up to 5 per cent more power than No.1.
The AAIU recorded anomalies in the power being given out by both engines up to eight seconds before the Fairchild Metro 3 hit the ground.
The AAIU said it also found an anomaly in the pressure and temperature sensors on No.2 engine which helped to regulate fuel control.
A leak in the bellows section of the engine has also been identified which recorded lower than actual temperatures and created the wrong fuel flow.
Operator Manx2.com said it would be inappropriate to comment further as the inquiry is ongoing.
“Our thoughts this week are with the families of those who lost their lives, those injured and everyone affected by the tragic crash,” a spokeswoman said.
“This is a very thorough investigation, and with a number of technical and regulatory aspects still being explored, the AAIU continues to have our fullest support and co-operation.”
English co-pilot Andrew Cantle (27) from Sunderland, who had been flying the plane, and pilot Jordi Gola Lopez (31) from Spain were among the victims.
The others who died were: Brendan McAleese (39) a businessman in Co Tyrone; Pat Cullinan (45) a partner in leading accountancy firm KPMG in Belfast; Captain Michael Evans (51) deputy harbour master in Belfast; and Richard Noble, a 49-year-old businessman who was originally from Derbyshire but lived in Northern Ireland.
Elsewhere, the report notes that Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aerea (AESA), the Civil Aviation Authority of Spain has banned Metro III aircraft from operating.
The Manx2.com flight was operated by Spanish firm Flightline BCN. The service between Cork and Belfast has since ended.
The AAIU said its investigation is on-going and a final report will be issued in due course.
PA