At approximately 19.00 hrs on the 25 July 2015, Shannon Air Traffic Control (ATC) notified the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) that an aircraft had crashed in the townland of Garranbaun near Dungarvan. An Garda Síochána subsequently confirmed to the AAIU that the sole occupant had been fatally injured.
A go-team of four AAIU Inspectors of Air Accidents deployed from Dublin and arrived on-site at 22.15 hrs. ATC recordings from both Shannon ATC and Waterford airport were impounded for examination by the AAIU.
After initial examination of the accident site, priority was given to the release of the fatal remains of the pilot from the wreckage which was achieved at 22.50 hrs. Due to night conditions, the on-site examination was suspended at 23.30 hrs and the accident site was preserved overnight by an Garda Síochána.
The on-site examination recommenced at 10.50 hrs on Sunday the 26 July 2015 with four AAIU Inspectors in attendance. The accident site was recorded and the wreckage was examined and collected. The process of interviewing eye-witnesses to the accident also commenced. The wreckage was prepared for transportation by road with operations at the accident site concluding at 16.45 hrs, and the site being preserved again overnight by an Garda Síochána.
Operations recommenced at 11.00 hrs on Monday 27 July 2015 with two AAIU Engineering Inspectors in attendance. The task today is to load the wreckage for transportation by road to the AAIU Wreckage Recovery and Examination facility at Gormanston Military base Co. Meath, where further examinations will be carried out.
It is the intention of the AAIU to issue a Preliminary Report in due course.
