AAIU Reports

SYNOPSIS 

The aircraft was operating a scheduled passenger service from Toronto (Pearson) to London (Heathrow).  On first contact with Shannon ATC the Commander made a PAN call and requested a diversion to Shannon Airport due to a medical emergency.  ATC were advised that the First Officer was incapacitated.  The aircraft landed safety at Shannon where medical assistance was waiting to meet the aircraft.

SYNOPSIS

The Pilot flew from Coonagh Airfield, near Limerick City, to Ardfert, Co. Kerry, where he carried out a pre-arranged aerobatics display for the Ardfert Festival.  This display lasted about 18 minutes in good clear weather conditions.  On completion, the Pilot flew to the nearby Ardfert Airfield where he landed on Runway (RWY) 33 and spent a relaxed 20 minutes in the company of some of his pilot colleagues from Coonagh Flying Club.

On departure from this airfield, the Pilot carried out a number of aerobatic manoeuvres along the axis of RWY 15 and, in the final roll manoeuvre, the aircraft’s engine was heard to ‘bang’ and ‘splutter’, as it cut out.  The Pilot, who was in a climbing roll to the right at the time, managed to straighten the aircraft’s wings but, as it rapidly lost height, the aircraft initially impacted in the corner of a field and then it’s hedge covered stone boundary wall.  This field was adjacent to the airfield.  There was no fire but the aircraft was destroyed by this double ground impact. Although his seven point harness remained intact, the pilot was fatally injured in the accident.

The Gardaí and Fire Services quickly attended the scene. Once the AAIU Inspectors of Accidents had completed their initial investigation on site, the wreckage of the aircraft was removed the next afternoon to the AAIU facility at Gormanston, Co. Meath, for a detailed technical examination.

SYNOPSIS

The aircraft was on a routine training flight when the Pilot noticed a persistent smell of fuel. The Pilot landed immediately.  Subsequent inspection found that the left pedal rudder control rod had been rubbing against a flexible fuel hose in the cockpit and that the hose had worn through allowing fuel to leak into the cockpit.  As a result of this Investigation, the aircraft Manufacturer issued Service Bulletin 1078-152 in order to rectify this problem on all G 115 /G 115A aircraft.

SYNOPSIS

Three runways were in use for landing at Chicago O’Hare.  The Commander, who was the Pilot Flying (PF), briefed the Pilot-Not-Flying (PNF) for an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to each landing runway.  ATC vectored the aircraft towards an ILS approach to RWY 22R but an unexpected and unusual clearance for a non-precision approach was received shortly before commencing the approach.  During the subsequent approach, in fine weather with good visibility, the PF miscalculated the rate of descent required and descended too rapidly.  On realising that they were too low, power was increased and subsequently go-around power was selected for a short period.  The aircraft climbed to the proper profile and a normal landing ensued.  The maximum altitude deviation below the correct flight path was 774 ft.  There was no injury or damage. 

SYNOPSIS

The Student Pilot was carrying out his first solo flight in benign weather conditions.  On landing, the aircraft bounced twice, however the nose wheel collapsed on the third impact and the propeller then struck the ground.  The Student Pilot exited the aircraft uninjured.

SYNOPSIS

The aircraft, a Cessna 172, bounced a number of times on landing while carrying out circuit practice and departed Runway (RWY) 24 at Shannon Airport onto the grass area.  There was no damage or injuries reported.  A number of incoming commercial flights were delayed as a result of the incident.

SYNOPSIS

OK-MUA 78, a SAMBA microlight, struck the airfield boundary wire fence following an attempted go-around.  Both Pilot and Passenger exited the aircraft safely.

SYNOPSIS

On returning from a navigation training exercise the Instructor asked the Student pilot to carry out a touch-and-go landing on Runway (RWY) 03.  The approach with full flaps and landing was normal.  On the ground roll prior to lift off the Student inadvertently raised the undercarriage.  The aircraft settled fully on the ground and slid along for some distance before stopping.  The crew shut down the aircraft and exited safely.  There was no fire and no injuries.

SYNOPSIS

The twin-engined aircraft took off from Kerry Airport at 08.30 hrs on an IFR flight to Jersey.  Soon after take-off, the aircraft lost all onboard electrical power, communications and weather radar.  The Pilot initially flew the aircraft South and subsequently made an approach to Cork Airport from the sea.  The undercarriage was lowered manually.  Power was suddenly restored and, after confirmation from ATC that the undercarriage gear was locked down, the pilot landed the aircraft safely.