What happened
On the afternoon of August 7, 2006, an experienced pilot was conducting a private flight near the Kilkenny Flying and Gliding Club. The aircraft, a Pilatus B4 with registration EI-121, had been released from a tow by an MS 893 Rallye at an altitude of 2000 feet. The weather conditions at the time were favorable, characterized by good visibility and minimal cloud cover, though local pilots had noted significant thermal activity in the area.
As the pilot approached the airfield from the south, the aircraft was observed by two club members on the ground. The flight path was perpendicular to the 09 runway. Upon crossing the airfield boundary at an altitude of approximately 400 feet, the glider suddenly transitioned into a nose-down attitude while the wings remained level. The aircraft struck the ground, resulting in one fatality and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the flight, noting that the pilot was highly proficient in both powered and glider aircraft. The investigation established that the pilot had previously completed a routine towing mission earlier that day. The Pilatus B4 had recently been granted a Temporary Certificate of Airworthiness by the Irish Gliding and Soaring Association. Witnesses on the ground provided accounts of the aircraft's final approach and the sudden change in pitch that preceded the impact.