Flight returns to Shannon after engine failure

A Continental Airlines flight en route to Newark was forced to return to Shannon Airport today after the pilot had to shut down…

A Continental Airlines flight en route to Newark was forced to return to Shannon Airport today after the pilot had to shut down an engine.

The flight, with 163 passengers on board, declared an emergency 20 minutes after take-off.

It returned to Shannon where it touched down safely shortly after midday. Emergency services were on standby.

A spokeswoman for Shannon Airport said the engine was being replaced and passengers would be accommodated in hotels this evening before resuming their journey in the morning.