SIX people were killed when a Manx2.com flight, operated by Flightline BCN, crashed at Cork Airport in February.

The plane, a NM7100 metro liner SW4, was carrying 10 passengers and two crew when it crashed on landing just after 10am on February 10.

It had left Belfast City Airport at 7.50am and was due to land in Cork at 9am but visability at the airport was poor.

 
A statement released at the time by Manx2.com said: "Due to weather conditions at Cork Airport the aircraft tried to land twice and the incident took place on its third approach.

"We would like to express our sincere sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident."

Eyewitnesses reported seeing the plane tip upside down and catch fire on impact with the runway.

The six victims were named as Brendan McAleese, Pat Cullinan and Michael Evans - who were all from Northern Ireland - co-pilot Andrew Cantle and passenger Richard Noble from England and Spanish pilot Jordi Gola Lopez.

Along with senior management from Manx2.com the company's chairman Noel Hayes travelled to Cork to help with the investigation. Mr Hayes called February 10 the "worst day of his life".

On February 14 it was announced that the Spanish company Flightline BCN would no longer be operating flights on behalf of Manx2.com.

Following the crash a full independent investigation by the Air Accident Investigation Unit was launched. The unit was also able to recover the black boxes, flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder.

Update: In March the moments leading up to the fatal crash were revealed in a preliminary report published by the Air Accident Investigation Unit. For more click here.

This story is part of isleofman.com's Review of the Year 2011.