Weather conditions were the main cause of a Cessna aircraft crash which claimed two lives at Inverin, Co Galway on July 5th 2007, a report into the incident has found.
The report, published today by the Air Accident Investigation Unit, found the pilot was not aware of a major change in wind direction which resulted in him losing control of the plane while attempting to land.
Failure by the pilot to establish radio contact with Inverin airport was also a factor in the accident, the report found. Had that contact been made, the pilot would have been informed of the change in wind direction. The aircraft was also over maximum landing weight which would have stalled its speed, the report said.
The Cessna’s pilot, Matt Masterson (59), from Terenure, Dublin, died in the crash at Aerphort na Minna, Inverin, Connemara along with Paul McNamee (57), an accountant from Loughrea, Co Galway. Seven other passengers were seriously injured but survived.
The private flight, the purpose of which was to demonstrate the capabilities of the Cessna to a group of potential investors and interested parties associated with a proposed airport in Clifden, was returning from Inis Meáin to Connemara Airport shortly before 2pm when the accident happened.
There had been a major change in wind direction since the time the aircraft had departed Connemara earlier that day of which the pilot seemed to be unaware, the report found. This resulted in a significant tailwind component on landing which caused him to abort the attempt. While doing so he lost control of the aircraft.
Witnesses observed the plane approaching Inverin at a low altitude. It struck a small outcrop, bounced and cartwheeled to the left. The left wing severed, and came to rest on the right-hand side of the fuselage, the report said.
The engine also detached and came to rest on top of the right wing, which was still attached at the main spar point. The aircraft was destroyed but there was no fire.
Galway Fire Service units arrived at the scene very quickly and assisted passengers.
The report found no technical fault with the aircraft which had been properly maintained and had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness.
However it found that additional stress on the pilot due to it being a demonstration flight may have been a contributory factor to the accident as could the fact the aircraft’s altimeters were not displaying altitude over sea level accurately.
The report recommends the manufacturer of Cessna aircraft place a placard on the exterior of the fuselage indicating the location of the emergency location transmitter.
It also recommends the Federal Aviation Administration and the European Aviation Safety Agency require flight manuals to contain information on the location and de-activation of these transmitters.