SYNOPSIS

Following a normal landing from a simulated tail rotor control failure, the rear portion of the right skid of the helicopter severed. The Report makes two Safety Recommendations to the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).

SYNOPSIS

Immediately after take-off from Dublin, on a scheduled flight to Bristol, a bang was heard in the cabin area, which was followed by a blast of hot air, and what appeared to be smoke, entering into the cabin in the area of Row 10.  The Cabin Staff Supervisor (CSS) alerted the Flight Crew.  The Captain declared an emergency and made an immediate return to Dublin Airport.  After landing safely, he ordered an emergency evacuation of the aircraft.  Inspection of the aircraft found that a duct joint in the pressurisation system had failed.  This allowed heated engine air to enter the cabin.  The Investigation has made a total of four Safety Recommendations.

SYNOPSIS

The pilot was operating his Starduster TOO, a two-seat aerobatic biplane, from Eglinton Airport, Derry. He flew the aircraft from the back seat while his passenger occupied the front seat. The purpose of the flight was to carry out some aerobatic training with specific emphasis on “rolls”, in the east Donegal area of Lough Foyle. The first manoeuvre, a practice stall, was carried out successfully, and this was followed by a climb to regain lost height which was perhaps “too vertical”, as the aircraft approached the stall. The pilot applied left rudder and left stick to exit this situation, not unlike a stall turn manoeuvre, he thought.

In this manoeuvre the aircraft inadvertently entered a spin, and recovery was effected only after serious height loss when the aircraft struck domestic electricity wires. The pilot cut short his flight and returned to Eglinton where he landed without further incident.

The Report makes no Safety Recommendation.     

SYNOPSIS

Following take-off from a private grass airstrip, the aircraft did not achieve sufficient fly-away airspeed and stalled. It struck a solid hedgerow and came to rest in an open field adjacent to the airstrip.  The aircraft was a write-off as a result of the accident, and a passenger subsequently died as a consequence of injuries received in the accident. The pilot and the other passenger also suffered injuries. The report makes two Safety Recommendations.

SYNOPSIS

The aircraft departed Charleroi Airport on a scheduled flight to Stanstead, UK. Shortly after take off the First Officer noted that the Captain had leaned to one side and did not respond to prompting.  Realising that the Captain was incapacitated the First Officer advised Brussels ATC that he had a pilot incapacitation problem and requested a return to the departure airfield, Charleroi.  An Emergency was declared.

The No. 1 Cabin Crew Member (CCM) (1) was summoned to the cockpit and put a therapeutic   oxygen mask on the unconscious Captain.  It appeared that the Captain was lifeless.  The aircraft returned immediately and landed safely at Charleroi. A husband and wife medical doctor team on board the aircraft attempted to revive the Captain.  Eventually with the aid of the airport and Local Authority Emergency Services, the Captain responded to intensive revival efforts and was removed to hospital in a critical condition. 

This Report makes three safety recommendations.

SYNOPSIS

This incident occurred when the aircraft was being pulled forward after the completion of the pushback from Stand 10.  The Captain requested the aircraft to be pulled forward in order to allow clearance for another operators aircraft.  As the aircraft was being pulled forward, the roof of the tug cab damaged the aircraft radome.  There were no reported injuries as a result of this incident.

SYNOPSIS

After a normal touchdown on RWY 28, the homebuilt aircraft began to diverge laterally during the rollout. The pilot could not control this divergence and the aircraft came to a halt with its nose approximately 3 metres off the North edge of the runway. There were no injuries to the pilot, but the aircraft suffered abrasions to the wing tip and nose area.