The Irish Aviation Authority has confirmed it is investigating an incident at Shannon airport last Thursday where confusion arose between an air traffic control officer and the pilot of an approaching aircraft about the jet’s exact altitude.
The authority has confirmed that a controller gave incorrect information to American Airlines flight AA-9363, but at no time was the aircraft at risk.
There were no passengers aboard the Boeing 757-200 sent from Manchester to collect passengers from another American Airlines flight which had diverted with engine problems.
On approach, the controller noticed the jet was lower than its clearance altitude – it had been cleared to 3,000ft. However, the controller’s screen indicated the aircraft was several hundred feet below that.