What happened
On 11 December 2022, a Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter, registration N999RL, crashed in an agricultural field near Kennycourt, Co. Kildare. The aircraft, which was being operated for private purposes, was flying from Rosslare toward Kilrush Airfield.
Radar data shows that the helicopter approached the Kilrush area from the southeast and initially flew northeast past the airfield. After reaching an altitude of approximately 2,400 feet, the aircraft turned back toward the Kennycourt area. For several minutes, the helicopter flew back and forth over the area before radar contact was lost at 15:45 UTC. At the time of the final radar contact, the aircraft was at an altitude of roughly 1,600 feet. Video footage captured the final second of the flight, showing the helicopter in a steute nose-down attitude before impact. A post-crash fire destroyed the aircraft, and the pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) deployed inspectors to the site to examine the wreckage and recover components. The investigation reviewed several data sources, including ATC radar tracks, ADS-B signals, and radio communications between the pilot and Shannon Flight Information Service.
Investigators also analyzed meteorological conditions and witness accounts. Witnesses in the Kennycourt area reported hearing the helicopter circling and observed the aircraft at low altitudes. Some noted seeing a flashing light or the underside of the helicopter, while others described the aircraft climbing into cloud before a steep descent. The investigation also examined the aircraft's maintenance history, noting that the most recent 50-hour check was completed in October 2022.