AAIU Reports

SYNOPSIS

After practising some circuits and groundwork at Newcastle Airfield, the Pilot flew westwards with the intention of crossing the high ground just south of Kilpeddar Army Range and routing via Calary Upper towards Kilmacanogue, Co. Wicklow.  However, before that high ground was reached, the cockpit filled quickly with smoke; there were loud noises from the engine compartment and a total loss of engine power occurred.  The Pilot turned south to find any open field in which to carry out an emergency autorotation. As there were few, if any, suitable flat fields available, the Pilot carried out a landing on an up sloping field, where the helicopter bounced on landing, before finally falling over on its left-hand side. 

As the Pilot and passenger swiftly exited safely by the right side door, the forward section of the helicopter was engulfed by fire.  Neither Pilot nor passenger reported any injuries during their hurried evacuation.  Subsequently, the Investigation found that a major in-flight fire had occurred in the engine compartment, initiated by a fretted and leaking fuel hose.

SYNOPSIS

The aircraft struck a stout wooden pole during an attempted overshoot, leading to a shattered  propeller and the almost total severance of the engine from the airframe.

SYNOPSIS

The helicopter had taken off from a field near Newbridge and made a short flight to a landing site at Castlewarden.  Two Pilots, one of whom was the owner, were on board.  On the third attempt to land, control of the helicopter was lost; the helicopter struck trees and impacted heavily along the eastern boundary of the intended landing site.  The owner who was occupying the right-hand seat suffered serious injuries; the left seat occupant was not injured.  There was no fire.

SYNOPSIS 

The aircraft departed Weston Aerodrome (EIWT) at a reported time of 08.20 hrs on a flight to the west of the aerodrome.   The purpose of the flight was a revision detail for a pre-Instructors rating test of the right hand seat occupant.  At approximately 08.55 hrs, witnesses who were working on a house close to Raharney, Co. Westmeath, heard the sound of a revving engine and on looking towards the West saw an aircraft spiralling vertically down to earth.  A survey of the accident site determined that the aircraft impacted vertically; there was no wreckage path and both occupants were found fatally injured within the wreckage of the aircraft.  An inspection of the engine did not reveal any abnormalities.  No evidence of pre-impact aircraft malfunction was found.  There was no fire.

  SYNOPSIS

A series of parachute jumps were undertaken in association with a school fundraising event.  Although the weather was breezy, it was considered suitable for jumping.  Five jump flights had previously taken place, each with two tandems pairs and a single parachutist.  The landings were generally about the touch down or Drop Zone (DZ) on the airfield.  On the sixth jump flight, one tandem pair landed off the airfield.  During the landing, they collided with a tracked mechanical digger, sustaining serious injuries to both parachutists.

  SYNOPSIS

N6VB was being towed along a runway that had been withdrawn from service at Dublin Airport (EIDW) when it collided with a parked aircraft, N20EG.  This caused significant structural damage to the nose of N20EG and to a crew van parked alongside.  The wingtip of N6VB was also damaged.  The Driver of the tug had not maintained adequate separation from the parked aircraft.  There was no wing marker in position as required by aerodrome procedures in force at the time and the markings on the taxiway did not conform to the published Aerodrome Directive.  There was no fire or injury.

SYNOPSIS

While dealing with a perceived technical problem about 20 minutes flying time from Galway Airport, the Pilot became unsure of his position and requested a radar heading to Galway from Shannon Air Traffic Control (ATC). On arrival at Galway the Pilot carried out a landing on Runway (RWY) 08, where the aircraft was observed by ATC to “porpoise” or bounce a number of times, before departing the runway near it’s end, onto an open grass area. While the aircraft was substantially damaged, the Pilot and passenger were unhurt. The Airport Fire Services later towed the aircraft to the light aircraft apron.

 SYNOPSIS

The helicopter had just taken off on a short flight. The engine started to run rough and lose power. As the helicopter was over a large open area, but surrounded by a built-up area, the pilot lowered the collective pitch lever and initiated an autorotation. During the autorotation descent the engine stopped completely. The pilot successfully performed a power-off autorotation and landed the helicopter without damage. The Investigation found that carburettor icing was the probable cause of the event.