What happened
On 13 May 2018, a Cessna 208B, registration G-KNYS, departed from Clonbullogue Airfield in Co. Offaly for a scheduled parachute jump operation. The aircraft was carrying the pilot, one passenger, and 16 skydivers. After the skydivers successfully exited the aircraft at an altitude of approximately 13,000 feet, the aircraft began its return approach to the airfield. During the flight, the pilot communicated that the aircraft was on "left base" for the runway. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft struck a forested area at Ballaghassan, roughly 2.5 nautical miles northwest of the airfield. The impact destroyed the aircraft and resulted in two fatalities, involving the pilot and the passenger. There was no post-crash fire.
The investigation
Investigators from the AAIU examined the wreckage, which was found partially submerged in a peat bog. The examination of the engine and propeller indicated that the engine was producing power at the moment of impact. While the aircraft's flight control surfaces were present, the wings were largely detached from the fuselage.
Data from the aircraft's Data Acquisition System (ADAS) revealed that the aircraft's rate of descent increased sharply in the final seconds of the flight. This was corroborated by CCTV footage from a nearby wind farm, which captured the aircraft in a nose-down attitude just before it disappeared behind a tree line. Additionally, helmet camera footage from one of the skydivers captured a brief glimpse of the aircraft descending into the trees. Investigators also recovered the pilot's mobile phone, though data recovery efforts were unsuccessful due to the severity of the impact damage.
Findings
- The engine was operational and providing power to the propeller until impact.
- The aircraft experienced a rapid increase in descent rate during the final seconds of flight.
- The aircraft was observed in a nose-down attitude by ground-based CCTV cameras.
- The impact was severe enough to bury the forward section of the aircraft beneath the surface of a peat bog.