AAIU Reports
The following is a listing of Investigation Reports published by the Air Accident Investigation Unit concerning accidents and incidents that occurred within Ireland, including its airspace and territorial waters. This list will also include Investigations concerning Irish-registered and/or operated aircraft which were delegated to the AAIU by Foreign Accident Investigation Authorities in accordance with ICAO Annex 13. Reports may be sorted based on Occurrence Date or Publication Date using the Search Facility below.
Final Report: Accident Ozone, Speedster 28, Paramotor, Unregistered, Gormanston Beach, Co. Meath, 4 June 2016 – Report 2017-001
January 11, 2017
SYNOPSIS
The paramotor was foot-launched by the Pilot from Gormanston Beach. Witnesses observed it climbing out over the sea where it was seen performing a number of orbits and steep turns during which the paramotor would descend to the surface and climb back to its original altitude. It was then observed entering a rapid spiralling descent. It impacted in shallow water approximately 150 metres (m) from the shoreline. The Pilot was fatally injured.
Accident: TL 3000 Sirius, EI-FSA, at Cregboy, Co. Galway, Ireland 16 August 2016: Report 2016-019
December 29, 2016
SYNOPSIS
The light aircraft, with the Pilot and one passenger on board, was returning to Cregboy from Letterkenny airfield (EILT). During the landing, the Pilot reported that the aircraft’s rate of descent increased unexpectedly, resulting in a hard landing and bounce. The aircraft subsequently touched down again on its nose wheel.
The nose gear assembly fractured and the nose and propeller of the aircraft contacted the ground. There was extensive damage to the aircraft. There were no injuries.
Incident: Boeing 737-8AS, EI-FIH, Final Approach, Porto Airport Portugal, 5 September 2015: Report 2016-018
December 5, 2016
SYNOPSIS
The aircraft was on a scheduled passenger flight from Lille Airport, France (LFQQ), to Porto Airport, Portugal (LPPR). After an uneventful flight, the aircraft commenced a non-precision approach to runway (RWY) 35 at LPPR.
When the aircraft was established on the final approach, the Co-Pilot, who was Pilot Flying (PF), was distracted by a green laser light being shone towards the aircraft and raised his hand to protect his eyes. The Commander, who was Pilot Monitoring (PM), looked up and was struck in both eyes by the laser light. The Commander’s vision became temporarily impaired.
Due to the laser illumination, Flight Crew coordination was compromised, which led to the final descent being delayed and the approach becoming unstable. The Commander elected to carry out a missed approach. The aircraft subsequently landed on RWY 17 without further incident. There were no injuries.
Accident: Cessna 182L, EI-CDP, at Clonbullogue, Co. Offaly, Ireland 08 August 2015: REPORT 2016-017
November 30, 2016
SYNOPSIS
The Pilot positioned the aircraft, with three skydivers on board, overhead Clonbullogue Airfield (EICL) at a height of 3,500 ft with the intention of releasing two students for static line parachute jumps.
Following his release from the right wing strut, the first student was jerked back and saw that his main parachute canopy was entangled around the right-hand side horizontal stabiliser of the aircraft. At the same time the aircraft pitched up suddenly. The Student immediately ‘cut-away’ from his main canopy, his reserve parachute deployed and he landed within the drop zone at EICL.
Subsequent to the sudden pitch-up, the aircraft rolled to the right and entered a spin. The Pilot performed a spin recovery, which was achieved by 1,000 ft. The aircraft, with the remaining three persons on board, landed at EICL without further incident. Significant damage was found on the aircraft’s empennage and the Student’s main canopy. There were no injuries.
ACCIDENT: Cessna T182T, N247P, at Blackstairs Mt. Co. Carlow, Ireland 24 May 2015: REPORT 2016-016
October 26, 2016
SYNOPSIS
The aircraft, with a Pilot, Passenger and two pet dogs on board, was en-route to the Irish Light Aviation Society airfield (ILAS Field) near Taghmon, Co. Wexford to attend a 'breakfast fly-in' that had been arranged for that day. It departed Athboy Airfield (EIMH), Co. Meath at 09.00 hrs and routed in a southerly direction at an altitude of approximately 1,500 ft towards Athy before turning to route directly towards the destination. Shortly after passing Carlow a shallow climb was initiated. The aircraft impacted high terrain at Blackstairs Mt. at 09.30 hrs, fatally injuring all on board. There was no fire.
SERIOUS INCIDENT: Airbus A319-112, D-AIBC, at Dublin Airport, Ireland, 27 November 2015:REPORT 2016-015
October 10, 2016
SYNOPSIS
At the commencement of a scheduled passenger flight from Dublin (EIDW) to Munich, Germany (EDDM), the aircraft, an Airbus A319-112, began the pushback and engine start procedure from parking stand 306L at EIDW. The No. 2 engine failed to start and the aircraft was towed back onto stand. When the aircraft had returned to the stand, the Cabin Crew reported to the Flight Crew that there was smoke in the cabin. The aircraft Commander declared a ‘Mayday’ by radio to Air Traffic Control (ATC) and directed the Cabin Crew to prepare for an emergency evacuation. The Flight Crew commenced the aircraft checklist for emergency evacuation. Following completion of this checklist it was noted that the smoke had begun to dissipate from the cabin. Because of this the aircraft Commander elected to disembark the passengers normally via the airbridge. There were no injuries.
ACCIDENT:Bede Aircraft Corp BD-5GR, EI-DNN, Garranbaun, Co. Waterford Ireland, 25 July 2015: REPORT 2016-014
October 6, 2016
SYNOPSIS
The aircraft was on a general aviation flight from Waterford Airport, via Ardmore, to Shannon Airport. Some minutes after take-off the Pilot made a Mayday call and informed Air Traffic Control (ATC) that he had an engine fire, had lost elevator authority and would have to land in a field. A forced landing was attempted into a field at Garranbaun, Co. Waterford; this proved unsuccessful and the aircraft impacted the ground, with wreckage strewn over approximately 63 metres (m) along a general orientation of 050° magnetic.
There was a significant post-accident ground fire. The Pilot did not survive the accident.
SERIOUS INCIDENT:Boeing 737-8AS, EI-EFB,Near Stansted, United Kingdom,18 September 2014:REPORT 2016-013
September 22, 2016
SYNOPSIS
The aircraft was on a scheduled passenger flight from Almeria (LEAM), Spain, to Stansted (EGSS), United Kingdom. During the descent, at approximately 20,000 feet, the aircraft Commander became aware of an unusual smell in the cockpit. The Flight Crew donned their oxygen masks and declared a Mayday. Air Traffic Control facilitated an expeditious approach to EGSS, where a normal landing was performed. Throughout the event, there were no reports of unusual smells in the aircraft cabin.
INCIDENT: Boeing 737-8AS, EI-ESZ, Dublin Airport 2 November 2015: REPORT 2016-012
August 30, 2016
SYNOPSIS
Following a scheduled passenger flight, while the Boeing 737 aircraft was manoeuvring onto its parking stand at EIDW, two workers in a worksite behind the aircraft were blown over by jet blast from the aircraft. Both workers suffered bruising injuries as a result.
Accident: Enstrom 280FX, N280CH, Near Carlingford, Co. Louth, Ireland 19 July 2015: Report 2016-011
July 25, 2016
SYNOPSIS
The helicopter took off from a site adjacent to the Pilot’s home near Carlingford, Co. Louth, in the Republic of Ireland. The Pilot’s intention was to fly to Derryogue Airfield, Co. Down in Northern Ireland, from where he had flown earlier that day. Very shortly after take-off, the Pilot lost control of the helicopter and attempted a forced landing in a nearby field, which resulted in substantial damage to the helicopter. No injuries were reported to the Investigation.