AAIU Reports

 

On the evening of 8 March 2015, the Air Movements Controller (AMC) at Dublin Airport (EIDW) reported a loss of separation between a departing and a landing aircraft.  

 

The departing aircraft (EI-EFF, using ‘callsign 342’) was cleared for take-off with a landing aircraft (EI-DHA, using ‘callsign 45TR’) at 3.2 NM on final approach to the same runway.  Re-appraising the situation, the AMC attempted to stop the departing aircraft at the holding point, however, as a result of a blocked transmission the departing aircraft continued past the stop line which was in accordance with its previously issued clearance.  Clearing the departing aircraft for an immediate take-off, the departing aircraft became airborne prior to the arriving aircraft touching down.  

 

A runway occupation alert, a function of the Advanced Surface Movements Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS), activated as a result of the reduced separation between the aircraft during the event.

 

 

 

The helicopter was on a training flight from Cork Airport. During the en route phase, in the vicinity of Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork, the Pilot felt vibration accompanied by low rotor Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) warnings. The Pilot broadcast a “Mayday” transmission to ATC and made a successful autorotation(5) into an agricultural field. There were no injuries. The Investigation found that the helicopter’s engine suffered a gross mechanical failure and the engine sustained substantial damage during the event.

 

 

 

The aircraft was departing from Brittas House Airfield in Co. Limerick on a private flight to a destination in the United Kingdom. With normal take-off power applied and the aircraft well established in the take-off run, the Pilot felt that the aircraft was not accelerating as expected. Despite the application of extra power the speed did not increase sufficiently for the take-off to be continued safely. The Pilot attempted to overfly the deep ditch at the departure end of the runway but made contact with fencing posts in the process. The aircraft came to rest at the far boundary hedge of the adjacent field and sustained substantial damage. The Pilot exited the aircraft without injury.

 

 

While turning right from Taxiway (TWY) F2 via LINK 2 and taxiing towards TWY A to hold short of runway (RWY) 34 at EIDW, the tip of the port side winglet of EI-EMH struck the starboard side elevator of EI-EKK. At the time, EI-EKK was stationary on LINK 2 at the entrance to TWY F1 awaiting sequenced departure off RWY 28. The winglet of EI-EMH and the elevator of EI-EKK were substantially damaged. There were no injuries.

 

Three Safety Recommendations have been made as a result of this investigation.

 

 

The aircraft was landing at Ballyboe Airfield near Clonmel following a flight conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) from Newmarket Heath Airfield in the United Kingdom. During the landing roll the left wingtip of the aircraft contacted high crops adjacent to the grass runway. This contact caused the aircraft to veer to the left side of the runway. The aircraft departed the prepared surface and the right-hand undercarriage leg collapsed resulting in further damage to the aircraft. The aircraft came to rest straddling the edge of the runway and the adjacent field. There were no injuries.

 

 

The aircraft, a Cessna TU206G, was being used for parachuting/skydiving activities at Abbeyshrule (EIAB) on the day of the accident. Shortly after take-off, the Pilot felt what was described as a “knock” following which the engine lost power. This resulted in the Pilot making a forced landing in a nearby field. There were five people on board the aircraft – the Pilot and four skydivers. The skydivers comprised of two tandem pairs, with each pair being made up of a qualified skydiver and a person skydiving for charity secured to him. Following the forced landing, all occupants successfully evacuated the aircraft, which sustained substantial damage.

 

The Pilot and qualified skydivers reported no injuries at the scene. The two charity skydivers attended a local hospital, but were released a short time later. The Investigation found that the cause of the engine power loss was a failure of the crankshaft.

 

Five Safety Recommendations are issued as a result of this investigation.

 

 

 

Shortly after departure from Dublin Airport (EIDW), the Flight Crew noticed fumes and smoke entering the cockpit. Fumes and smoke were also reported in the passenger cabin. The Flight Crew donned their oxygen masks and smoke goggles and carried out the appropriate emergency checklist actions. The aircraft returned to EIDW and landed safely, by which time the smoke had dissipated. The aircraft taxied to its parking stand and the passengers and crew disembarked normally.

 

Subsequent examination of the No. 4 engine found a leak in an oil supply pipe, which is likely to have caused oil contamination of the bleed air supply used for air conditioning.

 

Please see the below Preliminary Report.

 

NOTE: This Preliminary Report contains information, as known at this time, and does not contain analysis or conclusions. This information is therefore subject to change and may contain errors; any errors in this Report will be corrected in the Final Report.

 

 

During the landing roll the aircraft nose landing gear (NLG) retracted. The aircraft nose and both propellers contacted the runway surface. Damage to the aircraft was substantial. There were no injuries.

 

 

The microlight aircraft departed Newcastle Airfield (EINC), County Wicklow, with two pilots on board. The intention was to perform a short flight before returning to EINC. Approximately 20 minutes into the flight, a small amount of blue smoke was noticed in the cockpit, followed by a loss of engine oil pressure. The decision was made to carry out a forced landing and a suitable field was selected. To prevent engine damage, the Pilot shut down the engine during the approach to the chosen field.

 

The aircraft landed and came to rest without further incident. There were no injuries and the aircraft was undamaged. Subsequent examination revealed that a hose supplying engine oil to the engine oil cooler had disconnected in flight, resulting in the loss of all engine oil.

 

Two Safety Recommendations have been made as a result of this investigation.