What happened
During a routine training sortie, the crew encountered deteriorating weather conditions that led to a loss of spatial orientation. Unable to determine their precise position, the pilot faced a critical situation involving low fuel reserves. To avoid a total fuel exhaustion over land or open water where rescue might be difficult, the captain initiated an emergency procedure. The decision was made to attempt a controlled ditching in the Shannon River, located off Shannon Airport. The aircraft struck the water surface and subsequently sank.
Findings
The primary contributing factor to the accident was the loss of situational awareness caused by adverse weather. This disorientation prevented the crew from navigating back to a suitable airfield, forcing them to rely on their remaining fuel for an emergency water landing. All three individuals on board were successfully rescued shortly after the impact.