What happened
During the initial climb phase following departure from runway 05, the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 165 feet. As the pilot initiated a left-hand turn in accordance with established departure protocols, the aircraft type experienced a sudden reduction in altitude. During this maneuver, the tip of the left wing made contact with a stone wall situated in the vicinity of Clonloghan church.
The impact caused the aircraft to become uncontrollable, leading to a crash into an open field where the wreckage ignited. The collision resulted in the total destruction of the plane. The accident resulted in 34 fatalities, comprising 11 crew members and 23 passengers. Additionally, 18 individuals sustained serious injuries during the event.
Findings
Official investigations into the crash failed to identify a specific, definitive cause for the incident. Investigators were unable to pinpoint a singular mechanical or human error, noting only that the aircraft lost necessary altitude while executing a turn shortly after takeoff, which ultimately led to the collision with the ground.