SYNOPSIS

SYNOPSIS

SYNOPSIS

SYNOPSIS

During the landing roll, the landing gear selector was inadvertently moved to the UP position. This mistake was immediately recognised and the selector was returned to the DOWN position but the nose-wheel, which had started to retract, continued retracting, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft.

SYNOPSIS

The aircraft was approaching RWY 25 for a landing when, without any control input, the aircraft suddenly tracked to the right of the runway, struck a windsock pole and a boundary ditch and impacted into the adjacent field. The Pilot was unhurt and exited the aircraft without assistance.

SYNOPSIS

The scheduled passenger flight from Manchester (EGCC) to EINN made two approaches to Runway 24 (RWY 24) in blustery weather conditions that featured a strong and turbulent crosswind. The first approach resulted in a bounced landing following which a go-around was performed. The aircraft then conducted a second approach. Following a number of bounces the aircraft impacted the runway in a nose down attitude and the nose gear collapsed. The aircraft skidded along the runway before coming to a stop. There were no injuries but the aircraft was deemed to be damaged beyond economical repair.

A Preliminary Accident Report was published on the 23 August 2011. This Report contained Safety Recommendation IRLD2011010 which recommended that the Operator review the maximum crosswind limitations for approaches onto RWY 24 at EINN. The Safety Recommendation was accepted by the Operator and new reduced limits were published.

This Final Report issues four further Safety Recommendations.

SYNOPSIS

Following an uneventful tandem drogue-fall from 10,000 ft, the main chute was deployed at approximately 5,500 ft, but following inflation, it immediately developed a violent spiral rotation to the right. Unable to cut-away the main canopy, the tandem master deployed his reserve chute. There then followed a complex sequence of events that resulted in both canopies being in a condition of partial inflation. This condition persisted throughout the remaining descent until the tandem pair impacted heavily within a forest clearing. Both the tandem master and the tandem passenger suffered serious impact injuries.

SYNOPSIS

Following a longer than expected take-off run over wet/soft grassland, the aircraft became airborne and had insufficient height to clear a line of trees at the airfield boundary hedgerow.  The right-hand wing-tip struck a holly tree and the aircraft subsequently impacted heavily into the adjacent field. Both occupants escaped without injury, but the aircraft was substantially damaged. There was no fire.

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.