What happened
On 4 May 2018, a BRM Land Africa microlight aircraft, registration EI-EOH, was conducting a local flight departing from Lough Conn Airfield, Co. Mayo. After completing a left-hand circuit and a touch-and-go at the airfield, the aircraft flew east toward Tobercurly, Co. Sligo. The flight included several orbits and a low pass over open ground before the aircraft climbed to 2,000 ft and turned west toward Ballina. After clearing the Slieve Gamph/Ox Mountain range, the aircraft descended to 1,000 ft and began a south-westerly course. At approximately 17:14 hrs, the aircraft entered a left-hand descending turn and struck the terrain. The impact resulted in one fatality and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The AAIU examined the wreckage, witness accounts, and several digital data sources. An examination of the impact site revealed a compact wreckage area, suggesting the aircraft struck the ground in a near-vertical, nose-down attitude with the left wing hitting first. Investigators recovered a GPS unit and a cockpit-mounted camera that had recorded the flight. Analysis of the video footage showed the aircraft flying normally until roughly 27 seconds before the recording ended, at which point a left bank began. Crucially, the footage showed the pilot's head slumping forward with eyes appearing closed, and no corrective inputs were observed before the impact. Additionally, radar data from Shannon Air Traffic Services and engine sounds reported by witnesses did not indicate any mechanical failure or engine issues prior to the accident.
Findings
- The aircraft was in a near-vertical, nose-down attitude at the moment of impact.
- No mechanical failures affecting the controllability of the aircraft were identified during the wreckage examination.
- The pilot appeared to have become incapacitated during the flight, as evidenced by video footage showing a lack of corrective action following the onset of a left bank.