Accident Overview
On a flight from Clonbullogue Airfield (EICL) in Co. Offaly, a Cessna 208B aircraft impacted terrain in a nose-down attitude in a forested peat bog at Ballaghassan, Co. Offaly. The accident occurred approximately 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 kilometers) to the northwest of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed, and there was no fire.
Flight Details
The aircraft departed from Runway 27 at EICL at approximately 13:14 hrs. On board were the pilot and a passenger (a child), seated in the cockpit, and 16 skydivers occupying the main cabin. The skydivers jumped from the aircraft as planned when the aircraft was overhead EICL at an altitude of about 13,000 feet.
After the jump, the pilot advised by radio that he was on 'left base'—a flight leg preceding the approach, normally perpendicular to the extended runway centerline. No further radio transmissions were received.
Impact and Injuries
Shortly after the transmission, it was established that the aircraft had impacted the ground. The pilot and the child passenger sustained fatal injuries.
Investigation Findings
The probable cause of the accident was impact with terrain following a loss of control in a steeply banked left-hand turn. The reported contributing factors included: the steeply banked nature of the turn being performed; propeller torque reaction following a rapid and large increase in engine torque; the aircraft's speed while maneuvering during the steeply banked turn; and insufficient height above ground to effect a successful recovery.