A Ryanair flight from Venice to Manchester was forced to divert to London Stansted after fuel sprayed from the right engine mid-flight, with an AAIB investigation finding pilots were slow to diagnose the leak and increased fire risk during landing

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A Manchester-bound aircraft was compelled to make an emergency diversion before running out of fuel as gallons poured from the engine following a fault mid-flight.

An investigation was initiated into the incident by the Air Accident Investigations Branch after the Ryanair flight on April 25 last year. The report, released today (April 9), stated the flight from Venice to Manchester had to divert to London Stansted at approximately 1pm.

This came after a fuel leak, which also heightened the risk of a fire upon the aircraft’s landing. The plane was met by fire crews on the runway who discovered there had been a leak from the right engine.

The journey had to be curtailed with an emergency diversion to London amid concerns about fuel leaking from the main tank.

The AAIB investigation discovered that the pilots aboard the Boeing 737 Max were tardy in recognising the possibility of a fuel leak, and also heightened the likelihood of a fire by deploying thrust reversers to decelerate the plane during landing and failing to shut down the right engine, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Investigators have determined this would have scattered leaking fuel around hot components of the engine, further raising the prospect of a fire breaking out.

The Ryanair flight had initially been delayed by one hour due to a company computer system failure. During this time, the report found that the pilots observed a fuel imbalance developing between the main fuel tanks, prompting them to carry out a fuel balancing procedure.

Once the aircraft reached its cruising altitude of 38,000 feet, the commander spotted the fuel imbalance recurring and continued to cross-feed fuel into the affected right engine.

Approximately 20 minutes later, the pilots noted the right fuel tank was running low once more, with an imbalance of around 100kg every 10 minutes – a clear indication of a fuel leak.

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The flight, carrying 191 passengers, was subsequently diverted to Stansted Airport. According to the report, the pilots opted against shutting down the affected engine, citing favourable weather conditions and the relatively short diversion time of around 20 minutes.

The aircraft touched down safely, with no injuries sustained and no damage to the plane. The AAIB later concluded in their report that had the crew continued to follow emergency procedures, they would have been directed to shut off the engine in order to eliminate the risk of fire.

The report stated: “In completing fuel balancing from memory, the pilots did not consider the possibility of a fuel leak, delaying diagnosis of the problem. Once the leak was confirmed, they decided not to fully complete the non-normal checklist, which directed them to shut down the affected engine.

“The subsequent use of thrust reverse on landing increased the potential risk of fire due to disbursement of fuel vapour around hot parts of the engine.”

In a statement Ryanair confirmed it had “fully participated” in the investigation, adding that the report contained no safety recommendations directed at the airline.

NEW YORK (AP) — Federal appeals court judges questioned during oral arguments Thursday whether a roughly four-year prison term given to Sean “Diddy” Combs for the hip-hop mogul ‘s conviction on prostitution-related charges was too harsh.

The three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan did not immediately rule after hearing two hours of arguments.

At the conclusion, Circuit Judge William J. Nardini called it an “exceptionally difficult case” that raises questions of first impression “not only for this court but for any federal court in the country.”

Throughout the arguments, judges questioned whether a judge improperly considered elements of acquitted charges to sentence Combs to what his lawyer, Alexandra Shapiro, said was the most prison time ever given someone convicted of the same charges with a similar criminal history.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik, arguing for the government, challenged Shapiro’s claim, saying the four-year, two-month prison term given to Combs was below what federal sentencing guidelines called for and was in line with similar convictions in the 2nd Circuit.

Combs, currently in federal prison in New Jersey, is challenging his conviction and prison sentence. He was convicted last July under the federal Mann Act, which bans transporting people across state lines for any sexual crime.

But he was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that carried the potential for a life sentence.

In sentencing Combs, Judge Arun Subramanian said: “Mr. Combs, you’re being sentenced for the offenses of conviction, NOT the crimes he was acquitted of. However, under law, the court ‘shall consider’ the nature of the offense and characteristics of the defendant.”

The judge also cited law which states that no limitation shall be placed on the “background, character and conduct” that a judge can consider.

During Thursday’s arguments, Shapiro asked the appeals panel for a speedy decision.

Combs, 56, has been behind bars since his September 2024 arrest. The Federal Bureau of Prisons says he is scheduled for release in April 2028.

His attorneys say Combs’ conviction should be reversed, or he should at least be freed and resentenced to less time.

Despite extensive written arguments on the subject, there was no discussion Thursday about claims by Combs’ lawyers that his conviction should be reversed on grounds that the First Amendment protects sexual encounters between his girlfriends and male sex workers because they were sometimes filmed and amounted to “amateur pornography.”

There was extensive discussion, though, about his lawyers’ arguments that Subramanian wrongly considered evidence of fraud and coercion that they said the jury rejected as it exonerated him on the most serious charges.

Combs’ trial last year exposed the sordid private life of one of the most influential figures in music. The case featured harrowing testimony about violence, drugs and sexual performances that witnesses said he called “freak-offs” or “hotel nights.”

He did not testify. His defense team acknowledged that he could be violent but argued that prosecutors were straining to make a federal crime out of his personal life.

City of York Council has approved Dalian Properties Ltd’s plans to divide the empty Iceland, in Fulford Road, into three units.

Council planning officers stated the plans would not harm the wider Fulford Road area or have a material impact on cycling and parking spaces at the site shared with Aldi.

But comments lodged about the plans included concerns that national chains could open in the units, eroding the identity of the area and fuelling traffic.

Approval of the plans comes after the council refused an application to convert the empty supermarket into a McDonald’s drive-thru in October 2024.

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The plans were blocked on public health grounds, with council officials saying the opening of a fast food restaurant would undermine the promotion of healthy lifestyles near three schools.

McDonald’s application sparked a backlash from locals who claimed it would lead to noise, odour and traffic problems.

The latest plans submitted in November are set to see the building split into three units measuring 118sqm, 248sqm and 181sqm.

They could be turned into shops, cafés, banks, gyms and other businesses falling under class E use under planning permission granted by the council.

Class E does not include hot food takeaways.

No details about the future use of the units were included in the plans.

Iceland on Fulford Road (Image: Newsquest)

Three of the 14 parking spaces currently outside the building are set to be lost as part of the development.

Comments lodged about the plans include concerns about the development attracting more traffic and the loss of parking spaces at the site the building shares with Aldi.

They also claimed Fulford Road identity could be further eroded if national chains moved into the building or a business causing similar issues to the refused McDonald’s could open there.

Separately, works to expand the neighbouring Aldi are ongoing following their approval in May last year.

Almost all the talk about Rory McIlroy in the build-up to this year’s Masters related to the pomp.

In comparison, discussion about his game felt somewhat neglected.

When last year’s winner was finally able to focus on his golf on Thursday, McIlroy reminded everyone he is not in Augusta this week simply to serve up the Champions’ Dinner.

He is here to play. And he is here to win.

The 36-year-old from Northern Ireland shares the first-round lead with American Sam Burns after carding a five-under par 67, ensuring anybody who was sleeping on his chances of going back-to-back had been stirred.

McIlroy was among only 16 players in the 91-man field to finish under par, with conditions expected to get even firmer and faster over the next three days.

England’s Justin Rose, who was agonisingly denied his first Green Jacket by McIlroy in a nerve-jangling play-off last year, is three shots behind the leaders and alongside world number one Scottie Scheffler on two under par.

“I think winning a Masters makes it easier to win your second one,” said McIlroy, who is aiming to join Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as the only men to retain the Masters.

“It’s hard to say because there are still shots out there that you feel a little bit tight with, and you just have to stand up and commit to making a good swing and not worry about where it goes.

“But it’s easier for me to make those swings and not worry about where it goes when I know that I can go to the champions’ locker room and put on my Green Jacket.”

Regan King approached the vehicle, which was parked in Southwick, Sunderland, on Tuesday March 17 and opened the door, before speaking to the driver, claiming to be homeless.

When the driver refused to interact with him, King insinuated he had a weapon concealed in his waistband, before demanding that they got out of the vehicle.

The driver did exit the vehicle but had the presence of mind to take the car keys with them.

Regan King, literally ran into the arms of the law, after his carjacking bid was thwarted (Image: Northumbria Police)

Realising he was unable to drive the car without the ignition keys, King attempted to drag the driver back to the vehicle.

The disturbance caught the attention of two people in the vicinity in Thompson Street, and they courageously came to the driver’s aid, chasing King from the scene.

It put a stop to the assault, although the driver was left shaken but unharmed following the incident.

In a panic, King thought it wise to seek refuge at nearby Southwick Police Station, dropping a hammer while en-route.

When the full picture of events emerged and the officers discovered exactly what had happened, King was arrested.

The 22-year-old, of no fixed abode, was subsequently charged with assault.

Appearing before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court last week the defendant admitted the charge and was swiftly sentenced to a 10-week stint behind bars. 

Detective Sergeant Julia Williams, of Sunderland’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), said: “We take pride in our stations being a place of refuge for those in need of help, however in this instance, it was straight back to custody for King.

“Incidents of this nature are very rare and are not something we take lightly.

“Thanks to his naivety, King ran straight into the arms of the law, and we were able to take swift and robust action against him.”

She thanked the passers-by who stepped in to help the car driver.

Read next … more court stories from The Northern Echo, by clicking here

“Without their help, this incident could have had a very different outcome.”

Anyone with information on suspected criminality in their area can contact Northumbria Police by sending a direct message on social media, or by using the ‘live chat’ or ‘report’ form function on the force website.

Alternatively, members of the public can simply ring 101 or, in an emergency, when a crime is taking place by ringing 999.

The TOWIE star discussed her experience with weight loss jabs on I’m A Celebrity… South Africa and left viewers in stitches with an air fryer rant

ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… South Africa star Gemma Collins has revealed details about her ‘unusual’ experience with ‘transformative’ weight loss injections.

The TOWIE favourite is presently participating in the Ant and Dec programme for the second occasion. Gemma notably departed the standard version of the show after 72 hours in 2014 in one of the series’ most astonishing moments.

With the current series of the pre-recorded All Stars edition of the programme launching at the start of the week, Gemma has proved popular with audiences.

So far she’s participated in a food challenge against Coronation Street legend Craig Charles and offered a glimpse into her romantic life with her fiancé Rami Hawash.

The 45-year-old had previously disclosed that she utilised Mounjaro injections to assist her in her weight loss endeavour, but discontinued them after suffering a gall bladder attack. In a previous interview with OK! Magazine, Gemma revealed she shed 8kg from the injections, reports the Manchester Evening News.

On Thursday night’s (April 9) instalment of I’m A Celebrity, Gemma and her fellow campmates at Savannah Scrub explored the recent surge in ordinary people using injections to aid with weight reduction.

This prompted Gemma to discuss her personal experience. “It is life changing, you can’t believe how amazing it is. You don’t think about food. When I was first doing it, me and Rami went for a Turkish meal. In my whole life if a bread basket came out [mimics eating it].

“Do you know how weird it was for me to sit there, have the bread in front of me. Do you know how bizarre that is? It was great, it was liberating,” she said.

Gemma went on: “That was in the very beginning. I ended up going to 15mg. That is when I got the pain…. I’m big anyway, I could lose 3st and not look different… I’ve done everything. It depends on your body. What works for you and you doesn’t work for me.”

Discussing Rami, Gemma revealed he adores her for ‘exactly who she is’. The pair are engaged for the third time and will ultimately tie the knot in 2026 after being forced to delay their nuptials in 2023 to concentrate on other commitments.

Later on, Gemma had her campmates in hysterics when she launched into a tirade about air fryers. According to Gemma, the kitchen appliance left her gasping for breath.

“The minute it went on, I felt like it sucked all the air from my kitchen. I couldn’t get any oxygen. From that day I gave it away,” she said.

I’m A Celebrity… South Africa is on ITV1 and ITVX