A preliminary report into the death of a pilot and instructor in a plane crash in Wexford last month records that witnesses say the plane disintegrated in the air.
Peter Tawse and John Finnan died shortly before 6pm when the plane came down near Duncormick in Co Wexford on October 6.
Mr Tawse, aged 61 and from New Ross in Wexford, was an experienced aviation instructor and a former manager of Waterford Regional Airport. Mr Finnan, aged 58 and from Naas in Kildare, was also onboard when the plane came down.
The prelimimnary report states that the aircraft was observed on take-off from the airfield until it went out of sight and it was described as a “complete normal takeoff, a complete normal climb” to at least 3,000 ft.
At approximately 4.40pm, witnesses reported hearing a loud noise from the plane, and that it "disintegrated in the air". Locals and emergency services rushed to the scene, where they realised both men had been killed and the aircraft was destroyed, with the wreckage strewn over a number of fields. There was no fire.
The scene of the crash last month. Picture: Patrick Browne
The plane had been up on an earlier flight, when handling and performance were reported to have been normal.
After the aircraft returned from its earlier flight, the report notes it was scheduled to do another flight – the accident flight. Prior to this flight, the tnstructor was heard to remark to the pilot: “I suppose I better take the loose bits out of it”.
The pilot who had flown the aircraft earlier asked the pilot about his intended flight, and he responded: “I’m going up to do spins”.
There were no devices on board the aircraft that were capable of recording flight data, and no requirement to fit such devices.
Spiralling downwards'
In the course of this preliminary investigation, a number of witnesses were asked for their accounts of what they saw on the day.
The report says: "One witness observed the aircraft some minutes prior to the accident and noted that the aircraft executed a number of consecutive roll manoeuvres. In addition, several witnesses reported hearing waxing and waning engine sounds, as the aircraft manoeuvred.
"Other witnesses reported that immediately prior to the accident the aircraft executed three loop manoeuvres. During the descent from the apogee of the third loop, two loud noises (variously described as bangs or cracking sounds) were heard, parts were seen to separate from the aircraft, and the aircraft began spiralling downwards."
The investigation is on-going and a final report will be published in due course.
