What happened
On 13 June 1997, a PA 28-140, registration G-BEYO, was conducting a private VFR flight from Belfast City Airport toward Kilkenny. During the flight, the pilot encountered low cloud cover over the mountains to the west and decided to divert to Brittas Bay Aerodrome in Co. Wicklow. Because the aerodrome was unmanned, the pilot did not establish contact on the local frequency, and the aerodrome operator was not notified of the arrival.
After inspecting the windsock, the pilot attempted a landing on Runway 25. During the landing roll, the aircraft bounced several times. The pilot subsequently realized the aircraft was landing with a downwind component, making the available stopping distance insufficient. An attempt to apply full power for a go-around was initiated, but the aircraft had already traveled too far down the runway. The main landing gear struck the aerodrome's perimeter fence, followed by a collision with a solid mud bank and a second sheep fence. The aircraft eventually came to a stop on a rough area of a nearby golf course. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.
The investigation
The AAIU conducted a field investigation following notification from Air Corps Group Operations. The investigation examined the aircraft's flight path, the weather conditions at the time of the accident, and the mechanical state of the aircraft. Investigators reviewed METAR data from Dublin Airport, which indicated winds varying between 310 and 350 degrees at 10 knots. The investigation also assessed the aircraft's damage, which included a bent propeller, engine shock loading, and damage to the fuselage underside and tailplane area.