Bad weather key to 2008 air crash

POOR WEATHER conditions prevailed when four people died in a light aircraft crash in Co Wicklow in 2008, a report has revealed.

There were “strong winds, low cloud and poor visibility’’ when the aircraft crashed in “boggy terrain’’ near the summit of Corriebracks mountain.

The private aircraft was on its way from Gloucester airport in England to the airstrip in Kilrush, Co Kildare, on Saturday, October 25th.

The four who were killed were Sharif Booz, a property developer and pilot, his wife, Margaret, their son Aymon Booz (14), and his friend Charles Froud (14).

All of the deceased were from Lower Almondsbury, Bristol, in England.

The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) report reveals that Mr Booz had been the victim of a “personal assault’’ the day before the flight.

However, a pathology report found “no evidence to suggest there was any significant injury arising from the assault, which would have affected the pilot’s ability to fly the aircraft’’.

As indicated in the Avon and Somerset Constabulary report, it was accepted that he was suffering from some degree of shock due to the attack, the report says.

“The investigation was unable to determine whether this had any bearing on the accident,’’ the report adds.

The report says the aircraft “impacted in a nose-down attitude of approximately 40 degrees at a relatively low forward speed’’.

Weather conditions were not conducive to safety.

“Approaching the Irish coast, the flight was continued on a direct track crossing mountainous terrain with a low margin of terrain clearance, given the prevailing conditions,’’ the report says.

While attempting to remain in visual flight conditions at low level with reduced visibility, in mountainous terrain, it was probable that the pilot lost situational awareness, it adds.

“Strong gusty winds and significant turbulence would have further added to the pilot’s difficulties,’’ says the report.

“In addition, the lack of a plan, supported by suitably marked charts and a flight log, may have contributed to the loss of situational awareness in the final portion of the flight.’’

The report observes that all available evidence pointed to the pilot becoming disorientated while unable to locate the destination airfield in difficult weather conditions.

“Manoeuvring in an area of strong turbulence with significant load, it seems probable that the aircraft entered an aerodynamic stall close to terrain, recovery from which was not possible in the height available,’’ it says.

It adds that as the aircraft was heading into an area of high ground, with a strong tailwind in poor visibility, it was probable that the pilot was unsure of his position.

“At the flight planning stage, it is essential that a log of the intended flight be prepared, with courses and distances indicated,’’ says the report.

It appeared, the report adds, that the pilot did not fully appreciate the deteriorating weather situation en route.

“The decision to operate the flight may have been influenced by the moderate weather conditions at the departure airfield,’’ it adds.

“However, as the aircraft took off from Gloucestershire, the forecast conditions in the area of the destination continued to deteriorate.’’

The report notes that all the aircraft’s components were accounted for at the accident site.

The aircraft crashed into wet, boggy terrain and came to rest with the propeller, engine and forward cabin embedded below ground level, it says.