History of the Flight
The pilot contacted Shannon Flight Information Service at 14:32 hrs, reporting departure from Ballygarrett, Co. Wexford, en route to Rosslare and then Kilrush Airfield. The helicopter landed at Tagoat, Co. Wexford, at approximately 14:42 hrs. At 14:58 hrs, the pilot advised lifting out of Rosslare for Kilrush Airfield. At 15:26 hrs, the pilot reported switching to Kilrush frequency. Radar first recorded the helicopter at 15:28 hrs, 5.2 NM south-east of Kilrush Airfield at about 2,300 ft. At 15:32 hrs, approximately 0.7 NM south-west of Kilrush, the helicopter turned north-east, passed Kilrush, continued 8 NM north-east, then turned back south-west. It flew back and forth in the Kennycourt area. Radar last recorded it at 15:45 hrs at about 1,500 ft, 0.4 NM south-east of the accident site. Video footage showed the helicopter descending steeply nose-down in the final moments. The pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. A post-crash fire occurred and was extinguished by local fire services. The helicopter was destroyed.
Accident Site
The accident site was in a grass-covered agricultural field in rolling hills, approximately 7 NM north-east of Kilrush Airfield and 1 NM south-east of Brannockstown, Co. Kildare. Site elevation was about 476 ft (145 m) above mean sea level.
Witness Reports
Several witnesses in Kennycourt and surrounding areas reported hearing the helicopter 'going over and back', 'coming and going', 'circling', and 'moving around'. Some saw a flashing light. One witness could not see the helicopter due to clouds, then briefly saw its underside before it climbed and re-entered clouds, subsequently descending nose-down into the field. Another witness thought the helicopter would land before it climbed nose-straight-up into cloud. Several witnesses saw steep, nose-first descent before impact. Some heard the engine running until impact, others heard a change in rotor disc airflow. Some witnesses went to the site and saw the helicopter on fire. Witnesses described ground-level visibility as 'fine' or 'okay' but cloud/fog was quite low. Witnesses at Tagoat, Co. Wexford, provided video recordings of the helicopter operating normally; the sky appeared generally clear and blue.
Personnel Information
The pilot, aged 71, held an EU Part-FCL Private Pilot Licence (Helicopter) issued by the Irish Aviation Authority on 10 June 2021, converting a US FAA Private Pilot certificate. The licence included a Robinson R44 type rating, revalidated on 23 April 2022 via a proficiency check valid until 30 April 2023. The pilot held a valid Class 2/LAPL medical certificate until 10 December 2023. Flying experience totalled 316 hours, with 110 hours on the Robinson R44. In the last 90 days, the pilot flew 18.2 hours; in the last 28 days, 3.1 hours; and in the last 24 hours, 0.9 hours (including the accident flight and the earlier flight from Ballygarrett to Tagoat).
Helicopter Information
The Robinson R44 Raven II is a four-seat helicopter with a Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 fuel-injected six-cylinder reciprocating engine, driving a two-bladed main rotor (diameter 10.06 m) and a two-bladed tail rotor (diameter 1.47 m). The helicopter's Certificate of Airworthiness was issued by the FAA on 28 February 2005. The last 100-hour/Annual Inspection was completed on 7 June 2022 at a total airframe and engine operating time of 973.8 hours, including engine cylinder compression check, magneto replacement, and compliance checks. The most recent 50-hour Inspection was performed on 10 October 2022 at 1,001.1 hours, including oil and filter replacement.
Wreckage Examination
The helicopter was destroyed by impact and fire, which caused significant destruction. The accident site was compact; all parts were near the main wreckage except a 0.74 m main rotor blade fragment found about 60 m to the south-west, and a large fragment of a portable fire extinguisher found about 38 m to the south-west. The wreckage was recovered and transported to the AAIU facility for detailed examination. The investigation found no evidence of pre-existing defects that would have prevented normal operation. The engine was removed for further examination.