An aerobatics pilot plunged to his death as he did his trademark stunt for friends, a report into the accident found.
John Keane (57) died of multiple injuries as he departed for home just hours after taking part in an aerial display at a Co Kerry festival.
The engine of the plane stopped when it was starved of fuel creating an air lock as he made his signature climbing roll move, a report by the Air Accident Investigation Unit said.
The home-made Steen Skybolt aircraft rapidly lost height and plummeted about 400 feet into a hedge-covered wall beside Ardfert airfield.
Mr Keane, an experienced pilot who had earlier flown at the Ardfert Festival, died at the scene.
Shortly before his death on July 29th, 2007, Mr Keane had completed a flight from Naples to Limerick to mark the 60th anniversary of the Limerick Flying Club.
Eyewitnesses told investigators Mr Keane, of Clonara, Co Clare, made an unplanned stop at Ardfert Airfield where he met colleagues from the Coonagh Flying Club, who had also flown at the festival.
As he left, he was asked to carry out aerobatic stunts and on his third and final roll manoeuvre friends heard the engine bang and splutter before the aircraft hit the ground.
Accident investigator Frank Russell said the sudden engine stoppage was caused by fuel starvation during the climb.
He found there was not enough fuel in the upper section of the main tank for the final aerobatic manoeuvres and Mr Keane was too near the ground to make a safe recovery.
Investigators said Mr Keane had enough fuel when he set off for the 107 nautical mile round trip from Coonagh Airfield near Limerick City to Ardfert, but due to a delay on departure he flew to Ardfert at a higher cruising speed than normal.
At the festival, Mr Keane took part in an 18-minute display and then made the unplanned stop at the nearby airfield overshooting the runway on his first attempt at landing.
When he took off shortly before 4.30pm, Mr Keane performed two stunts - using more fuel - before the engine cut on his trademark move.
The investigation found that at the time of the accident the upper fuel tank was empty and with little fuel in the lower section, air would have been sucked into the fuel system during the steep climb.
PA
