Aircraft

Preliminary evidence from the scene of Yesterdays's Ryanair Boeing 737-800 landing accident at Rome Ciampino supports the initial claim that the jet sustained a serious bird-strike.

Italian investigation bureau Agenzia Nazionale per la Sicurezza del Volo (ANSV) says the wing surfaces and engines were struck by a "large flock" of starlings.

ANSV has retrieved the flight recorders from the aircraft - which suffered damage to its left wing, undercarriage and fuselage - and is to interview the crew.

© Ryanair

The aircraft, which had been approaching Ciampino's runway 15, came to rest on the threshold at the far end of the 2,200m (7,220ft) strip.

Ryanair says there were only a few minor injuries among the 172 occupants. Italian civil aviation administration ENAC expects the jet to be removed from the runway at 02:00 tomorrow.

• Read David Learmount's blog posting on the accident

• See more images of the incident in a gallery on AirSpace

• See more images of the incident as part of a discussion thread on AirSpace