AAIU Reports

The following is a listing of Investigation Reports published by the Air Accident Investigation Unit concerning accidents and incidents that occurred within Irish airspace. This list will also include Investigations concerning Irish registered and/or operated aircraft which were delegated to the AAIU by Foreign Accident Investigation Authorities in accordance with ICAO Annex 13. Reports may be sorted based on Occurrence Date using the Search Facility below.

Incident: Hughes H369HS, N239MW, Athlone, Co.Westmeath, 07 Jul 2007: Report No 2008-007

May 9, 2008




  SYNOPSIS

 


The single engine helicopter landed on the upper floor of a multi-story car park in the centre of Athlone town.  A Car Park Attendant claimed he had attempted to wave the aircraft away as it did not have permission to land.  The Attendant stated, as the helicopter continued to land, he then took refuge behind a door where he was injured by the helicopter’s main rotor downwash.


 


The landing, at an elevated site in the centre of a large town, by the single engine helicopter was contrary to the Rules of the Air. 




Serious Incident: EHI Merlin HC Mk 3, ZJ137, Salthill, Co Galway, 24 June 2007: Report No 2008-006

April 11, 2008

  SYNOPSIS

On departure from the static display park at the Salthill Airshow 2007, an emergency egress hatch separated from the right-hand side cargo sliding door of a Merlin helicopter and fell to earth. The Investigation found that the locking mechanism of the egress hatch had been interfered with by an unknown member of the viewing public during the course of the day. This unlocked condition, remained undetected during the pre-flight inspection by the aircrew. Two spectators reported receiving minor injuries.

Accident: Agusta 109E, EI-SBM, Lagore, Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath, 20 March 2008: Report No 2008-005

April 1, 2008


  


Serious Incident: B737-8AS/MD-83, EI-DCZ/OE-IKB, Reporting Point BANBA, 23 September 2007: Report No 2008-004

March 5, 2008

SYNOPSIS

Two passenger aircraft entered Irish controlled airspace near Reporting Point BANBA at high level off the South East coast of Ireland. One was an MD-83 routing northwards towards Dublin from Faro, and the second was a B737 routing westwards towards Cork from Stansted.  The former was maintaining Flight Level (FL) 280, while the latter, which was cruising at FL300, was cleared initially by the Shannon based Air Traffic Control (ATC) Radar Controller to descend to FL290 and subsequently to FL100. This ATC clearance conflicted with the path of the northern bound aircraft, and, in spite of at least four warnings, one verbal and three electronic, the Radar Controller appeared not to comprehend the closing speeds of the two aircraft and allowed the higher one to descend and lose the required minimum vertical and lateral separation from the other. What ensued was a critical failure of the human element of the ATC system to rectify this situation.
 
The last resort safety net in this extreme circumstance, each aircraft’s on board Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), automatically activated with a commanded warning to each aircraft. The pilot of each aircraft reacted correctly to this TCAS warning, one climbed his aircraft as instructed by the system and the other descended his aircraft as instructed by the system. A potential mid-air collision was thus narrowly avoided due to the TCAS activation and the correct response of the pilots. With separation subsequently re-established by ATC, both aircraft continued onwards and landed at their respective destinations.
 
The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) of the Department of Transport was notified of this Serious Incident shortly after it occurred. Three Safety Recommendations are made as a result of this Investigation.
 

Accident: Kolb Twinstar MK. IIIA, G-BUZT, Killoughrum, near Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, 4 June 2007: Report No 2008-003

February 8, 2008

  

 


SYNOPSIS


 


The aircraft departed a private airfield on a local flight and proceeded in a northerly direction at an altitude of approximately 1,000 ft.  After approximately 20 minutes flying time the engine stopped without warning.  The pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, was unable to restart the engine in the time available.  In the subsequent forced landing the aircraft impacted heavily with the ground and was severely damaged.  The pilot suffered serious injuries.


 


 

Serious Incident: ATR 72-202, EI-REE, Dublin Airport, 4 July 2007: Report No 2008-002

January 29, 2008

  

SYNOPSIS


 


During passenger boarding, in wet and windy conditions, a Cabin Crew Member slipped and fell through the open aft service door.  While falling to the ramp, she hit a baggage cart. As a result, she was unconscious for a short period and was afterwards taken to hospital.


Incident: Urban-Air UFM10 Samba, EI-DRM, Abbeyshrule, Co. Longford, 7 September 2007: Report No 2008-001

January 21, 2008

  

Accident: Eurocopter EC120B, N526AG, Hughes OH-6A, N239MY, Tougher Business Park, Co Kildare, 13 October 2006: Report No 2007-028

December 3, 2007

  SYNOPSIS

On 13 October 2006, a Eurocopter EC120B, registration N526AG, operated a short flight between Carlow and Newbridge landing at a private site at Tougher Business Park. While positioning to land, N526AG passed in close proximity to a parked helicopter and caused significant damage as a result of rotor downwash.  There were no injuries.

Serious Incident: AS 350B, G-JESI, Dunkerrin, Co Offaly, 23 September 2006: Report No 2007-027

November 30, 2007


SYNOPSIS

During “hot refuelling”[1] the Pilot observed a slight rise in his fuel gauge to 20% fuel before it stopped increasing.  In the belief that his gauge was faulty, the Pilot requested, over his radio, that the refueller operator continue refuelling up to 300 litres.  The Pilot then signed the presented fuel docket for 302 litres and re-positioned his helicopter to the parking area.  Later that day, G–JESI took off from the K Club at 18.35 hrs (L) with 4 passengers onboard for the intended return flight to Adare, Co Limerick.  At approximately 19.10 hrs (L), the Pilot became concerned about his fuel state and, following a slight engine surge, made a precautionary landing in a farm field near the village of Dunkerrin, on the Offaly/Tipperary border.

 



Both Pilot and passengers exited the aircraft safely.  An examination of the helicopter the following morning by an Inspector of Air Accidents determined that the fuel tank contained a total of 6.5 litres of fuel. Furthermore there was no evidence of the helicopter having suffered a leak and no fuel staining was evident on the ground.  There was no damage. 


 


It was later determined by the Investigation that the helicopter fuel gauge was fully serviceable and that no leak had occurred through the entire fuel system.  The Investigation notes that only 2 % of the fuel requested by the Pilot (approximately 10 litres of 302 litres) was apparently uploaded during the hot refuelling at the K Club but the Investigation was unable to reconcile this serious anomaly.




[1] Hot refuelling is a term used to describe a refuelling operation, which is conducted while the engine and rotors are running and the Pilot remains on the controls.


Incident: ATR 42, EI-CVS, Enroute Kerry to Dublin, 1 November 2006: Report No 2007-026

November 9, 2007

  

SYNOPSIS


 


The aircraft had taken off from Farranfore Airport, Co. Kerry and was in the climb when the port engine (No.1) Inter Turbine Temperature (ITT) exceded 1200°C.  The Captain immediately shut down that engine and made a “Mayday” call.  He decided to divert to Shannon Airport where full emergency procedures were implemented.  The aircraft landed safely at 15.11 hrs and proceeded to Taxiway A where the passengers disembarked in the normal way

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