Investigators returning this morning to heli crash scene

The R412 was closed for several hours, now reopened. Image by Google.

Air accident investigators are due to return to Kennycourt this morning to further examine the scene and wreckage of yesterday's helicopter crash, writes Brian Byrne.

Although there has been no official confirmation, the Diary understands that there has been a fatality in the incident, which happened around 3pm yesterday.

Gardai secured the scene yesterday afternoon and the Dunlavin to Brannockstown road, the R412, was closed for several hours.

The Air Accident Investigation Unit of the Department of Transport sent three inspectors to the field where the helicopter came down, after being seen circling over the Kennycourt area just before it crashed. They carried out a preliminary survey before darkness fell.

The AAIU will continue their work today which will include an ongoing site survey, witness interviews, and recovery of the wreckage to the AAIU wreckage examination facility.

The latest crash is one of a number of air accidents which have happened in County Kildare over the last two decades, according to records of the Air Accident Investigation Unit. Several of them involved helicopters.

In June 2019, a light aircraft crashed at Belan, south of Kilcullen during a training flight, killing the two people on board.

In August 2017, a microlight aircraft crashed after an engine failure in Kilshanroe in west Kildare. Despite being entangled in electrical wires, the pilot managed to drop to the ground without injury.

In March 2010 a glider was significantly damaged after hitting electricity wires at Gowran Grange. The pilot had only minor scratches.

In April 2009, two people including a flight instructor and a student pilot died when a helicopter crashed on a flight from Weston Airport near Celbridge.

In October 2007, the owner of a helicopter on a flight from Newbridge to Castlewarden suffered serious injuries when the aircraft struck trees at the landing site.

In July 2007, a light aircraft crashed onto the Kilcullen-Athy Road at Kilrush, with serious damage but no injuries.

In October 2006, a helicopter landing at Tougher Business Park damaged another helicopter parked on the site. There were no injuries.

In May 2004, a microlight aircraft from Kilrush airfield lost power and had to make a glide landing. The pilot wasn't injured.

In August 2003, a light aircraft was damaged at Gowran Grange near Punchestown while taxiing. There were no injuries.

In February 2003, a light aircraft with two people on board collided on the ground with another at Kilrush Airfield. There were no injuries.

In April 2001, a training helicopter flight at Weston Airport ended in a 'heavy' landing with significant damage to the aircraft, after total airspeed loss. There were no injuries.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy