NY-bound jet makes emergency landing in Dublin after crew reports engine fire

American Airlines flight AA-101 was en route from London Heathrow to New York at the time. There were 206 passengers and a crew of 13 on board.

The Boeing 777-200 jet was passing overhead Ireland when the crew opted to divert to Dublin Airport. The crew advised air traffic controllers that they needed to divert as they had a “fire in the left engine”.

The flight commenced its descent and rerouted to Dublin where the airport’s fire and medical services had been placed on standby. The aircraft landed safely at 11.47am.

After vacating the runway and coming to a stop on a taxiway, fire crews approached the engine and used thermal imaging equipment to check for any sign of fire.

After landing, the crew asked air traffic controllers whether they saw any smoke from the engine. Controllers confirmed there was no sign of smoke while fire crews also said they was no sign of smoke or fire.

It is now understood that the crew received an engine fire indication but that there was no fire.

The airline confirmed that the flight diverted to Dublin after an indicator light in the cockpit indicated a possible mechanical issue.

"Our maintenance team is currently inspecting the aircraft and we hope to have our customers on their way to New York soon. We never want to disrupt our customers’ travel plans, and we are sorry for the trouble this caused,” the airline said.