SYNOPSIS

On 13th. September 1996 an Ilyushin IL-62M aircraft of Aeroflot, Russian International Airlines, callsign AFL328, (hereafter referred to as 328), departed Chicago O"Hare Airport for a scheduled flight to Shannon Airport.

As it came into Shannon controlled airspace 328 was cleared directly to the airfield where the Approach Radar Controller gave the aircraft radar vectors to enable it to carry out an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to Runway (Rwy) 24.  The winds were light South-easterly, with visibility varying between 800 metres and 1600 metres.  This ILS approach was unsuccessful and at approximately 200 feet agl the pilot decided to go- around again.  Members of the public residing in the Clenagh area observed the aircraft during this go-around manoeuvre.

The aircraft then carried out a second and successful approach and landing to Rwy 24.  Following a crew change the aircraft continued on its journey to Moscow.

SYNOPSIS

 The aircraft was flown from Scotland to Belfast City Airport, where it overnighted on the 12th. June.  The next day the pilot filed a VFR flight plan South along the coast towards Dublin, intending to participate in an Air Rally at Kilkenny Airport, scheduled for that weekend.

The pilot closed his flight plan with Dublin ATC overhead Brittas Bay Aerodrome, Co. Wicklow, at 1041 hours. He then decided to land there as he was unhappy with the low clouds over   0 the mountains westwards on his route to Kilkenny.  He made no ATC contact on the local frequency as it was unmanned at the time.  The operator of the aerodrome did not receive any prior notification of the flight.

Following a visual check of the airfield windsock the pilot decided to land on Runway 25 (540m).  On finals he applied full flap and, on landing, the aircraft bounced a few times and, as soon as he realised that he was in fact downwind, and that his stopping distance was too short, he applied full power to go-around again.  This action was too late and the undercarriage main wheels struck the aerodrome"s clearly marked perimeter fence, then struck a solid mud bank and cut through a second sheep restraining fence, finally coming to a halt in an unused rough area of the adjacent golf course.  Fuel leaked onto the cockpit floor.  There was no fire.

The pilot and passenger, who were wearing lifejackets and each secured by a five-point safety harness, exited the aircraft uninjured.

METARs issued by Dublin Airport on the morning of 13th. June, showed the wind varying from 310/350/10(+) knots, vis10(+) km, with Kilkenny reading 340/07  25 km.  5/1400  8/3000.

SYNOPSIS

EI-BLB departed Sligo Airport on the afternoon of Sunday 1st. June 1997, having taken part in a fly-in at Sligo Airport on the previous day.  On board were the pilot and a passenger.  In the company of some other aircraft it landed at a private field which was owned by the passenger and which was intended for use as a future private airfield.  As far as can be established four other aircraft landed at this field at Meera, Carrick-on-Shannon, with EI-BLB.

All the aircraft took off to over fly the town of Carrick-on-Shannon as part of a festival organised by the Chamber of Commerce.

EI-BLB again had the pilot and passenger on board and carried out some aerobatics near Carrick-on-Shannon, returned and landed at the private field at Meera.  After a late lunch in an hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon, EI-BLB departed this time with the pilot solo to return from Meera to Abbeyshrule Airfield.

EI-BLB followed the line of the Shannon River from Carrick-on-Shannon Southwards.  EI-BLB was seen by several eye-witnesses flying at very low level following the line feature of the Jamestown Canal.

As the aircraft approached the Albert Lock on the Jamestown Canal it struck power lines which stretched across the Canal.  EI-BLB was seen to bank to the left and dive steeply into a small field where it came to rest with the engine and fuselage separated.  The pilot was fatally injured.

SYNOPSIS

As G-OBMD commenced passenger disembarkation at Stand 33 the ground maintenance engineer said that he noticed smoke coming from the point where the ground power lead connects to the aircraft.  This was followed by a number of flashes (of flame).  He immediately went to alert the aircraft Captain and staff.  Cabin Crew No. 1 used her own initiative and ordered an evacuation as she understood that it was a serious fire.  In addition to using the forward exit onto the airbridge some passengers exited via the overwing emergency doors and down the chute at the rear passenger door also.  The evacuation was completed quickly and without incident.

The ground power lead at Stand 33, which is fixed in a ground power pit, was removed for examination.  It was found that one of the two fixing bolts connected through the ground power plug had shorted across 2 phases (A & B phases), apparently as a result of damage caused by a vehicle driving over the plug while it lay on the ramp.

This is not an uncommon occurrence.

The short caused severe arcing in the plug when it was connected to the aircraft and switched on.  It was this occurrence that was witnessed by the ground maintenance engineer.

SYNOPSIS

The following Documents are available in connection with this Occurrence:

Original Accident Report

• Accident Report  1970/001 (Published 1970)
• Appendices to Accident Report 1970/001A (Published 2000)

AAIU Review

• Report No 2000/003 AAIU  Review (Published 2000)

INTERNATIONAL STUDY TEAM

• Summary Report (Published 2002)
• Full Study Report (Published 2002)
• Appendices to Full Study Report (Published 2002)

Department of Industry and Commerce Report (1953):

Formal Investigation into Causes and Circumstances of Accident, which occurred on 1st January 1953 to the DC-3 Aircraft EI-ACF.

Preamble and Report, Non -Statutory Inquiry (2002):

Accident involving a DC3 aircraft EI-ACF, the St. Kieran, near Birmingham on 1 January 1953 conducted by Mr. Patrick Keane, S.C. in March 2002.