What happened
On 24 May 2015, a Cessna T.182T Turbo Skylane, registered N247P, crashed into the side of Blackstairs Mountain in County Carlow, Ireland. The flight originated from Ballyboy Airfield, Co. Meath, with the intention of attending a fly-in event near Taghmon, Co. Wexford. The aircraft was operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in Class G airspace.
After departing Meath, the aircraft flew south toward Athy, Co. Kild and then turned southeast toward its destination. During the flight, the aircraft passed over Carlow Town. Radar data indicates that the aircraft was in a shallow climb at approximately 09:25 hrs. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft struck a steep, rocky slope at an elevation of roughly 2,150 ft. The impact resulted in two fatalities, involving both the pilot and a passenger.
The investigation
The investigation examined the wreckage, radar returns, and recovered electronic data. Investigators recovered a portable Garmin 295 GPS unit, which provided a track of the flight's final moments, confirming a direct path toward the destination and a shallow climb prior to impact. A damaged SD card from the aircraft's Garmin G1000 system was also recovered, and efforts were underway to retrieve flight data logging information.
Analysis of the wreckage site showed that the aircraft hit the terrain with a wings-level and slightly nose-up attitude. The debris field fanned out into the rising terrain, with the engine found approximately 130 meters downhill from the main wreckage. Preliminary evidence suggested the engine was producing power at the moment of impact.
Findings
- The aircraft was flying in an area of rising terrain south of the summit of Blackstairs Mountain.
- Local weather conditions at the time included mist, drizzle, and low cloud, with some reports indicating the upper portions of the mountain were obscured.
- The atmosphere was noted to be unstable, presenting a risk of localized low visibility and cloud formation above 1,000 ft.
- The aircraft impacted rising terrain while in a shallow climb.