What happened
On 10 February 2011, a Fairchild Metro III, registered as EC-ITP, was involved in an accident at Cork Airport. The incident occurred during an operation involving the aircraft at the Irish aerodrome.
The investigation
The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) has been conducting an extensive inquiry into the event, reviewing both technical and operational evidence. To identify the immediate causes and contributing factors, investigators have analyzed the technical aspects of the aircraft alongside broader systemic issues. This includes an examination of organizational structures, legal frameworks, and the oversight functions governing the operation.
Because the investigation involves international elements, the AAIU has engaged directly with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the European Commission, and the Spanish Aviation Safety and Security Agency (AESA). A significant portion of the technical, engineering, and operational documentation was originally in Spanish, requiring the investigation team to perform detailed translations of highly technical materials. The investigation process has been iterative, involving the interviewing of personnel and the cross-referencing of documents across multiple jurisdictions.
Findings
The investigation is currently in the final stages of drafting the final report. While the specific causal factors are subject to the final report's conclusions, the AAIU has focused its efforts on understanding the environment in which the flight operated and the relationships between the various agencies and undertakings involved.