AN AIRCRAFT flying to the Isle of Man in December was diverted because of an overheating engine part, according to a report.
The Flybe aircraft was travelling to the Isle of Man on December 16th last year when passengers noted the "strong burning smell”.
An Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report revealed that two people also saw sparks coming from an engine, prompting a Mayday call.
Emergency crews met the aircraft as it landed after diverting to Manchester Airport but no-one was injured.
The aircraft had 45 passengers and four crew travelling on the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 from Gatwick when the smell was noticed.
The 46-year-old pilot and his co-pilot had decided to divert the plane because of the odour, which grew stronger as they descended.
The aircraft was met by fire crews on the runway, but landed safely just after 2030 GMT. "During the cruise a warning caption in the cockpit illuminated and an electrical burning smell was noted," the report said.
"Whilst on the approach two passengers saw sparks coming from the rear of the right engine and, when this was reported to the flight crew, the commander made a Mayday call.
"After an uneventful landing the aircraft was shut down on the runway and the passengers and crew evacuated without injury.
"An engineering examination found that the right engine air intake heater adapter had overheated and mechanically failed."
The reported added that both left and right engine air intake heat adaptors had been inspected and tested three days earlier.
Investigators ruled that mechanical failure was to blame for the incident.
