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.
ACCIDENT: Ozone Magnum Paraglider, Near Lough Bray Lower Co. Wicklow, 18 April 2014: Report 2015-002
February 16, 2015
SYNOPSIS
During a paragliding flight near Lough Bray, Co. Wicklow, the paraglider encountered very heavy turbulence. The wing collapsed and during recovery, due to continued instability of the airflow, the wing collapsed twice more. During the final recovery, having lost too much height, the occupants impacted terrain whilst flying forward. Both the pilot and passenger suffered serious injuries.
One safety recommendation has been made as a result of this investigation.
ACCIDENT: Beechcraft Duchess, EI-BUN, Weston Airport, Co Kildare Ireland, 20 September 2013: Report 2015-001
January 21, 2015
SYNOPSIS
During the landing roll at EIWT following a series of circuits, the left hand main landing gear on the twin-engined training aircraft collapsed. This caused the aircraft to veer to the left and depart the side of the runway before coming to rest in the grass adjacent to the runway. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The two occupants were uninjured.
INCIDENT: Boeing 737-8AS, EI-DCN Near Lisbon, Portugal 9 October 2013: Report 2014-016
December 30, 2014
SYNOPSIS
During the cruise portion of a scheduled passenger flight, the Commander felt unwell. As the flight approached the vicinity of Lisbon, his condition worsened. The Co-pilot suggested an immediate diversion to Faro Airport (LPFR) and the Commander agreed. After checking the weather conditions were suitable, the Co-pilot declared an emergency with Lisbon Air Traffic Control Centre (ATCC) and commenced a diversion. The flight landed without further incident. Once on the ground, the Commander was met and assessed by medical personnel.
INCIDENT: ATR 72-201, EI-REI Dublin Airport, 30 March 2013: Report 2014-015
December 18, 2014
SYNOPSIS
The aircraft was operating a scheduled passenger flight from Edinburgh (EGPH) to Dublin (EIDW). Following a normal touchdown, a severe nose wheel shimmy was experienced as the aircraft decelerated below 40 kts. Subsequent inspection of the nose leg assembly revealed that the nose landing gear (NLG) torque link apex pin assembly was missing.
ACCIDENT: Quik GT450 Microlight, G-GTEE, near Convoy Co Donegal, 30 September 2012: Report 2014-014
December 1, 2014
SYNOPSIS
The microlight aircraft was making an approach to land at Carrickbrack airfield near Convoy in Co Donegal following a local flight from Letterkenny. The weather conditions at the time were blustery with southwesterly winds gusting to 25-30 kts at ground level. At a height of approximately 300 to 350 feet, the sail of the microlight failed without warning. The microlight descended rapidly and impacted a wet agricultural field. The Pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The microlight was destroyed.
One Safety Recommendation has been made as a result of this investigation.
ACCIDENT: Robinson R44 Raven, G-OAJC, Kinnitty Co Offaly, 01 August 2014: Report 2014-013
November 18, 2014
SYNOPSIS
On approach to land in an agricultural field, the helicopter’s main rotor blades contacted overhead telephone wires. The main rotor blades dis-integrated and the helicopter spun and tumbled into the field. The Pilot was uninjured and evacuated the helicopter through the right, rear/passenger door. The helicopter was destroyed. There was no fire.
ACCIDENT: Cessna F172M, EI-GSE Cork Airport, 19 July 2013: Report 2014-012
October 28, 2014
SYNOPSIS
The Instructor and his Student were conducting a cross-country training flight with an en-route landing at EICK. Following a touch-and-go landing on RWY 17 at EICK the engine lost power at a low height. The Instructor assumed control, banked left and landed the aircraft in a grassy area adjacent to the end of the runway. After a short ground run the aircraft collided at low speed with the airport’s chain link boundary fence. Although the aircraft was damaged there were no injuries.
The Investigation did not conclusively determine the cause of the engine power loss although conditions were such as to make carburettor icing a likely cause.
SERIOUS INCIDENT: Boeing 737-8AS, EI-DPA at Faro Portugal, 24 October 2011: Report 2014-011
August 14, 2014
SYNOPSIS
During the early hours of 24 October 2011, LPFR was struck by a rare meteorological phenomenon known as a microburst associated with a supercell, during which wind speeds of up to 84.9 kts were recorded at a weather station at LPFR. EI-DPA, which was parked overnight on the ramp, jumped its chocks and its nose moved approximately 5 metres (m) to the left. During the event, the aircraft sustained significant damage to its rudder system due to the effects of the wind gusts on the rudder control surface. The damage was not visible from the ground and was not detected during the subsequent Ramp-1 Check (Section 1.9.2) and pre-flight checks. Later that day, the aircraft departed on its first scheduled flight and the Flight Crew encountered significant control difficulties immediately after take-off due to the damaged rudder system. The Flight Crew dealt with the control issues and returned to LPFR where they landed safely approximately 28 minutes after take-off.
One Safety Recommendation is issued as a result of this Investigation.
ACCIDENT: Boeing 737-8AS, EI-DWF Near Perugia Italy, 18 July 2013: Report 2014-010
July 31, 2014
SYNOPSIS
The aircraft was on a scheduled passenger flight from Rome Ciampino (LIRA), Italy to Leipzig (EDDP), Germany. While climbing in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), it encountered sudden and unexpected severe turbulence in an area to the south of Perugia, Italy. At the time, the Cabin Crew were preparing for the in-flight service. One Cabin Crew Member (CCM) who was working in the rear galley was thrown into the air due to the severity of the event, struck the ceiling and fell heavily to the floor, sustaining a serious injury. The three other CCMs who were in the forward galley at the time were uninjured. All passengers were seated with their seat belts on and none were injured. No aircraft damage was reported.
Two Safety Recommendations are issued as a result of this Investigation.
SERIOUS INCIDENT: Boeing 737-8AS, EI-DLI Over the Irish Sea 20 May 2011: Report 2014-009
July 8, 2014
SYNOPSIS
During a scheduled passenger flight between Liverpool (EGGP) and EIDW, while in the cruise at FL180, the Cabin Altitude Warning Horn sounded. The Flight Crew identified that both air-conditioning pack switches were in the OFF position. The packs were then selected to AUTO. Subsequently, the crew doubted the operation of the pressurization system and an emergency descent was carried out. The aircraft entered a hold at 6,000 ft to allow the Flight Crew to review and confirm their understanding of events and the status of the aircraft. The aircraft landed without further incident. No injuries were reported.