What happened
On the evening of 1 June 1997, a Stampe SV4C biplane, registration EI-BLB, was engaged in a solo flight from Meera, near Carrick-on-Shannon, toward its home base at Abbeyshrule. The flight followed the path of the Shannon River, with the pilot observed by several witnesses flying at a very low altitude along the Jamestown Canal.
As the aircraft approached the Albert Lock, it struck power lines that spanned the canal. The impact caused the left lower wing to fail, forcing the aircraft into a sharp left bank and a steep descent. The aircraft struck a field with high vertical force, resulting in the separation of the engine from the fuselage. The pilot sustained fatal injuries during the crash.
The investigation
The investigation examined the wreckage, the condition of the overhead cables, and the pilot' and meteorological data. Investigators found that the aircraft's engine and fuselage separated upon impact, and the fuselage itself suffered significant structural disintegration between the firewall and the cockpit. The examination of the cables revealed they had failed due to ductile overload, with propeller blade fragments found at the site of the strike.
Analysis of the fuel used in the flight confirmed it was suitable for the engine and contained no contaminants. The weather at the time was clear with good visibility and no significant meteorological impediments to the flight. The investigation also noted that the pilot was an experienced aviator with 4,000 hours of flying time.
Findings
- The aircraft was properly maintained and held a valid Certificate of Airworthiness.
- The pilot was properly licensed and medically fit for the flight.
- There were no mechanical defects or fuel issues that contributed to the accident.
- The pilot was aware of the overhead cables, as he had previously operated a float plane from the Albert Lock.
- The pilot failed to maintain adequate clearance from known obstacles in the flight path.