AAIU Reports

SYNOPSIS

Shortly after a deep touchdown on Runway (RWY) 25 at Cork Airport the Instructor (Pilot-in-Command) realised that the braking performance was poor.  With the aircraft failing to slow sufficiently the Student pilot applied hard braking, which locked up the main wheels and deflated both main tyres.  With little braking capability remaining the aircraft departed the paved area at the end of the runway.  There were no injuries.

SYNOPSIS

The Captain of EI-CRK was making an approach for Runway (RWY) 24 at Shannon when he reported a pressurisation problem and was unable to control cabin altitude.  The aircraft broke off the approach and was vectored for a second approach.  The aircraft landed safely at 13.17 hrs.

The aircraft later took off for JFK Airport (New York, USA) but at 53N 15W the Captain declared a PAN due to pressurisation problems.  The aircraft made an emergency descent from FL350 and the Captain requested a diversion to Shannon.  A normal approach was executed and the aircraft, although overweight, landed safely at 16.23 hrs.  There were no injuries.

SYNOPSIS

The aircraft took off at about 13.10 hrs UTC from Weston (EIWT) for Ireland West Airport Knock (EIKN) to practice flying instrument approaches.  The Pilot flew a manual instrument approach in daylight Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) followed by an overshoot.  During the overshoot, at about 1,800 ft, the aircraft rolled to the right in excess of 90°.  The non-flying Pilot took control and initially attempted to recover.  He then decided to continue the roll to the right through 360°.  With a high power setting and an inverted nose down attitude, altitude was lost and speed rose rapidly.  In the recovery the aircraft was subjected to a gross over-speed with high G loading in avoiding ground contact.  The flight returned to EIWT where it landed safely. There were no injuries.  The aircraft, as a result of this event, is probably damaged beyond economic repair.

SYNOPSIS

As the Pilot air taxied the helicopter rearwards, in order to obtain a clearer forward take-off path over an adjacent boundary fence, the tail rotor struck the ground causing severe rotor vibration and subsequent damage.  The Pilot landed immediately, shut down and exited the aircraft safely.   There were no injuries. 

SYNOPSIS

The weather in the Kilkenny area was good, with unrestricted visibility and little cloud.   The Pilot of EI-121, who was very experienced on both powered aircraft and gliders had earlier that afternoon flown an MS 893 RALLYE aircraft, the local Gliding Club’s towing aircraft.  This was a routine towing flight.  On his return, he had arranged to fly the Pilatus B4, a single seat glider, himself.  Following an uneventful local area flight the Pilot returned to land at Kilkenny Airfield.  Here, on base leg to Runway (RWY)  09, he was observed by witnesses as he passed the airfield boundary when, unexpectedly, the aircraft adopted a sudden nose down attitude with wings level, and continued down to impact the ground.  The Pilot was found fatally injured in the cockpit by the Kilkenny Fire Services. The glider was destroyed.

SYNOPSIS

Flight EI-105 to New York (JFK) pushed back from Stand 37 with 325 passengers on board and had just commenced taxi when the crew were alerted by ATC that there was a baggage Loader accidentally locked in the cargo hold.  The aircraft returned to Stand 55 and the staff member was removed.  There were no injuries reported and no damage to property.

SYNOPSIS

Wind conditions were blustery as EI-BLD approached to land on the helipad of the Bailey Lighthouse, Howth.  During the final 15 feet of travel the helicopter dropped suddenly to the ground with a resultant hard landing.  Normal engine shutdown and crew exit followed.  The operator grounded the aircraft pending a technical investigation.