What happened
On 25 July 2015, a Bede Aircraft Corp BD-5GR, registration EI-DNN, departed Waterford Airport for a flight toward Shannon Airport. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot initiated an emergency Mayday call, reporting an engine fire and a critical loss of elevator authority.
While communicating with Air Traffic Control, the pilot indicated an intention to perform a forced landing in a nearby field. During the descent, the aircraft's left wing struck a tree in a boundary hedgerow, causing the wing to separate. The aircraft subsequently impacted the ground, resulting in a significant post-crash fire. The pilot, a 67-year-old with extensive flying experience, was the sole occupant and did not survive the impact.
The investigation
AAIU investigators examined the wreckage and interviewed several witnesses who observed the aircraft's final moments. Witness accounts varied, with some noting an unusual, loud engine noise and others observing the aircraft flying at an extremely low altitude.
The investigation also scrutinized the aircraft's registration history. While the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had previously declined to issue Permits-to-Fly for the BD-5 type due to safety concerns and poor accident statistics, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) had approved the registration of EI-DNN in 2007. Investigators noted that the IAA's review process did not explicitly account for the CAA's specific safety concerns regarding the aircraft's design and airworthiness standards.
Findings
- An engine compartment fire developed shortly after takeoff.
- The pilot experienced a loss of elevator authority, which compromised pitch control.
- The aircraft was flying with a tailwind component during the attempted forced landing, increasing groundspeed.
- The left wing struck a tree, leading to a fuel tank rupture and multiple fire events.
- The aircraft's propeller may not have been driven during the final stages of the flight, which would have made maintaining pitch particularly difficult without elevator control.