"Disorientation" after evasive action in deteriorating weather led to the death of two pilots in an Air Corps training flight crash over two years ago, according to the official inquiry.
Capt Derek Furniss (32) from Rathfarnham, Dublin and Cadet David Jevens (22) from Glynn, Co Wexford, died after their aircraft crashed into a hill in Crimlin East, near Cornamona on the Galway-Mayo border, on October 12th, 2009.
An Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) report found the F265 Pilatus PC-9 (M) training aircraft undertook a "rapid series of steep turns" and turned onto a northerly heading as it flew through a narrow and steep-sided valley on the western shores of Lough Mask.
In a transcript from the aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder on the last five minutes of the flight Cadet Jevens can be heard expressing concerns about entering the valley.
His instructor, Capt Furniss, responded: “OK, hang on, let’s continue in and let’s look at our options when we get in a bit further alright”.
Capt Furniss took control of the flight but was recorded six seconds later saying: “Bad decision now”.
Warnings relating to the aircraft’s height and excessive G forces were recorded immediately before the transcript ended.
The flight was one of three which left Air Corps headquarters at Casement aerodrome, Baldonnell, west Dublin that evening, on a “visual flight rules cross-country navigation training exercise”. Galway airport was the intended destination.
The report was originally due to be published in November, but was delayed after "an interested party" served a notice of re-examination on the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar, who is responsible for the AAIU.
A preliminary AAIU inquiry released in November 2009 found no technical defects with the aircraft and the ejection seats had not been activated before the crash.
Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieut-Gen Sean McCann, extended his sympathy to the families of Capt Furniss and Cadet Jevens, and said he accepted the findings and would ensure all recommendations were implemented.