What happened
On May 11, 2008, at 15:47 UTC, a Beech BE-77, registration EI-BHT, was performing a personal flight from East Ireland Airport (EIKN) at Knock to Weston, Ireland. During the initial climb phase after takeoff, the aircraft lost engine power and impacted terrain near Kilmovee, Ireland, in a steep nose-down attitude. The accident resulted in 1 fatality and 1 serious injury.
At the time of the accident, weather conditions were visual meteorological conditions (VMC) with a visibility of 6 statute miles and winds from 360 degrees at 09 knots. Witnesses near the site reported hearing a laboring engine that stopped, briefly restarted, and then stopped again shortly before the impact. Additionally, witnesses in a nearby vehicle observed the aircraft's wing drop while it was attempting to return to EIKN.
The investigation
An examination of the engine revealed that a segment of the number two cylinder inlet valve had separated and was found located within the number four cylinder.