SYNOPSIS

The aircraft was on a local flight with two occupants on board when the engine overheated. This caused a pressure cap installed on the cooling system expansion bottle to fail. The cockpit filled with coolant vapour, obscuring visibility and rendering control of the aircraft difficult.  The Pilot attempted to make a precautionary landing under power in a field.  The aircraft impacted heavily, which resulted in severe damage to the airframe.  Both occupants were seriously injured. There was no fire.  The AAIU makes one Safety Recommendation in relation to this accident.

SYNOPSIS

Following landing at EICN, the aircraft turning arc during ground manoeuvring was noted to be greater than usual.  Inspection revealed that the left-hand side rudder pedal assembly had failed adjacent to a welded joint.

Synopsis

While conducting an air taxiing-hover manoeuvre, the helicopter suddenly descended, the right landing skid made contact with the ground and subsequently rolled over onto its right side. The helicopter was extensively damaged. The Pilot suffered a minor wrist injury. There was no fire.

The aircraft returned to a private airfield at Powerscourt after a local flight lasting approximately 30 minutes.  During the final stages of the approach, the Pilot initiated a go-around on a runway with a steep up-slope.  During the go-around, the left wing of the aircraft struck a tree beyond the far end of this runway. Following a series of subsequent ground impacts the aircraft came to rest in an inverted position in a field adjacent to the airfield.  Post-impact, a fuel-fed fire immediately occurred.  The Passenger was fatally injured and the Pilot subsequently died of his injuries.

SYNOPSIS

The aircraft landed on Runway (RWY) 14 at EIIM and decelerated to taxi speed on the runway. The Pilot felt an initial slight downward tilting movement to his port side. He turned off the runway onto a taxiway, and almost immediately felt a further rapid drop of the port wing. The Pilot halted the aircraft, shut down the engine and he and his passenger exited the aircraft. Subsequently, it was found that a nut had come loose and separated from the port landing gear inner securing bolt, allowing the port landing gear to partially collapse. The Investigation makes two Safety Recommendations.

SYNOPSIS

The Pilot-in-Command (PIC) allowed another pilot to fly a circuit from the left hand seat.  During the landing, the handling Pilot, who was not qualified on that aircraft type, did not flare the aircraft correctly.  It stalled and struck the ground nose wheel first.   The aircraft was substantially damaged but there were no injuries. 

Synopsis

Following a bounce, the aircraft departed the runway and sustained damage to the propeller and nose gear.  The Investigation found that the probable cause was the Pilot’s lack of recent flying experience.

SYNOPSIS

The aircraft was engaged on a circuit training detail at EIWF. After the second landing, the aircraft developed a swing to the right during the ground roll along the runway. The Commander called that he had control; however the handling Pilot did not release the flight controls. The aircraft continued its swing and departed from the runway surface, coming to rest in the grass approximately 17 metres (m) from the runway edge. The right hand undercarriage leg collapsed. There were no injuries.