AAIU Reports

SYNOPSIS

The Pilot had completed a two hour flight in the morning in good weather conditions. During another two hour flight that afternoon, the weather deteriorated with gusty winds and shower activity developing. On approach to land in difficult wind conditions, about 70% of the left hand side of the paraglider canopy collapsed and the Pilot spun into the ground from about 15 metres (m) height, sustaining serious injuries. He was airlifted by the Coastguard Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter to hospital in Waterford.

SYNOPSIS

EC135P2+ 270, call-sign ‘Ambulance 270’, an air ambulance equipped Air Corps helicopter, was tasked by the National Aeromedical Co-ordination Centre (NACC) to collect a patient from a Health Service Executive (HSE) road ambulance near Borrisoleigh, Co Tipperary, and transfer him to Limerick Regional Hospital for treatment.

The weather en route from its base, Custume Barracks Athlone, to the intended pick up point was good. On approach to landing in a field and shortly before touchdown, the helicopter’s main rotor blades struck ESB2 20 kV overhead wires and severed them. This wire impact caused severe airframe vibration and a momentary oscillation of the helicopter, forcing the Pilot to carry out an immediate forced landing, which was heavy. He shut down the engines and the crew exited safely and uninjured. As there was substantial damage evident to the helicopter, the patient was transferred to hospital by road.

SYNOPSIS

During an exercise entitled “stall as a result of an engine failure after take-off”, the aircraft entered a partial tumble manoeuver which caused the outboard section of the starboard wing spar to fracture. Due to the resulting asymmetry of lift, the aircraft entered an autorotation in yaw. The aircraft spiralled to the ground and impacted heavily. Both occupants suffered serious injuries.

SECOND INTERIM STATEMENT

EU Regulation 996/2010 requires that, if the Final Report cannot be made public within 12 months, the safety investigation authority shall release an interim statement at least at each anniversary of the accident or serious incident, detailing the progress of the investigation and any safety issues raised

SYNOPSIS 

The Pilot of G-MWFI conducted a low ‘fly by’ over a field where a vintage farm equipment rally was being held. While doing so the aircraft struck and damaged a low-voltage electricity power line which caused the aircraft to hit the ground. The Pilot suffered a minor injury and the aircraft minor damage. The Pilot was unlicensed and the aircraft, which had been de-registered by the UK in 2011, did not have a Permit to Fly.

SYNOPSIS

The co-owner of G-MYGH, having completed a number of circuits on Runway (RWY) 30, handed over the aircraft to the Pilot who intended carrying out one solo circuit. While landing on RWY 30, the aircraft’s right main wheel caught in an electrified wire fence, leading to a heavy landing on the runway and damage to the aircraft. The Pilot switched off the electrics and fuel and exited the aircraft safely.

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.

SYNOPSIS

The microlight aircraft was attempting to land at Mullingar Airfield which was waterlogged at the time. Following touchdown deep into the very short runway, braking action was poor due to the wet surface. The Pilot applied power to go-around but the aircraft came into contact with wire fencing at the departure end of the runway. The aircraft impacted heavily in a ditch a few metres beyond the runway’s end. The Pilot was seriously injured in the impact.

SYNOPSIS

The Pilot made the short 15 minute flight from his private airstrip at Corr Na Móna to a field at Bréandroim. The intended landing site consisted of an unprepared field with a significant uphill gradient. On landing, the nosewheel assembly failed and the aircraft pitched forward in soft ground and came to rest in an inverted position. The Pilot, who was uninjured, evacuated without delay from the overturned aircraft.

SYNOPSIS

G-JEDR was cleared by Air Traffic Control (ATC) to back-track on Runway (RWY) 21 before turning around and lining up for take-off. A runway turn pad is located before the threshold of RWY 21 that facilitates a 180-degree turn by aeroplanes. The aircraft taxied onto the pad and turned right in order to make a left hand 180 degree turn. While doing so at a slow speed the right main wheel went off the pavement into an adjacent gravel strip. There were no injuries to crew or passengers and no apparent damage to the aircraft.