An inquiry has begun into the crash of a light aircraft at Galway Airport yesterday in which a German-born couple were slightly injured.
The privately owned, single-engined Piper Cub crashed in a field outside the airport's perimeter fence just after take-off at 12.20 p.m. An airport spokesman said the two-seater craft appeared to have been caught by a gust of wind as it took off for Birr, Co Offaly. The airport fire service and local emergency crews attended the scene.
The pilot and his wife, who was the only passenger, were treated for shock in University College Hospital, Galway.
The man was released immediately while the woman, who had a small cut to a foot, was detained for a few hours. The couple have been living in Mayo for several years. The aircraft, which is irreparably damaged, was owned by a consortium of pilots from Galway Flying Club.
