Trislander engine trouble puts Alderney services on full alert

Alderney's emergency services were put on full alert yesterday morning after a Trislander developed engine trouble.

The plane was the 8.20am flight from Alderney to Southampton and was 23 miles north of the island when the pilot noticed a problem.

He told the eight passengers that they would return to Alderney and the fire service, ambulance crews and RNLI were put on standby in case the plane had to crash land.

Aurigny managing director Malcolm Hart said: 'The pilot noticed on one of his gauges that the oil pressure was going down and he could see that the engine was not performing properly. 'Out of his mirror, he could see that a piece of centre engine covering had come loose, and decided to shut that engine.'