Helicopter crash investigation

Golfers on a Co Kerry course had a narrow escape when a helicopter crashed on to a nearby beach, sending debris flying in their direction.

The incident at Dook's Golf Club, near Glenbeigh, happened on June 7th, 2003, when the helicopter's 17-year-old pilot noticed a drop in engine power and crash-landed the craft. Neither he nor his male passenger were seriously injured.

In a report published yesterday, the air accident investigation unit of the Department of Transport said there was conflicting evidence between the pilot and eyewitnesses regarding the flight path of the helicopter prior to impact.

An examination of the helicopter had uncovered no evidence of a pre-existing defect or failure that would have caused it to suffer a loss of power, the report said.

It made no safety recommendations, but said the carrying of passengers by "young and inexperienced helicopter pilots is not good aviation practice".

Several eyewitnesses, who were playing golf at the time of the accident, told investigators they observed the helicopter flying very low overhead immediately prior to the crash.

One, who had just teed off from the 10th hole, said the helicopter hovered over the 11th ladies' tee box at a height of approximately 20 feet when it veered off left.

It went on to the beach nearby and there was a loud bang, after which a piece of the helicopter, about 12 feet long, "came flying across the fairway".

The investigation report said the purpose of the flight was not clear. The pilot had said he and his passenger decided to go for a "run" in the craft from the owner's premises at Glenbeigh.

The owner of the helicopter, however, subsequently told investigators that the craft was on its way to collect him from a house-warming party in Killorglin when the accident occurred. If this was the case, said the report, there was no requirement for the pilot to fly near the golf course.