One person dead as light aircraft crashes in Waterford

"The incident occurred shortly after 1pm today when a twin-engined light aircraft crashed as it attempted to make an emergency landing in a field south-west of Waterford Airport. Unconfirmed reports indicated that the aircraft had declared an emergency in the minutes prior to the crash landing. It is not believed to have been a commercial flight. A major incident has been declared, with gardaí, paramedics, Coast Guard and Waterford Fire Brigade personnel deploying to the site."

"It appears the aircraft went nose-first into the ground as it attempted to land. The tail-section of the aircraft was left standing upright after the plane came to a standstill just a short distance from a roadside ditch. One theory is that the aircraft was trying to make an emergency landing but its nose gear sank into the sod, causing the plane to dig nose-first into the field. It also appears that the pilot was attempting to reach the runway at Waterford Airport."

The crash occurred shortly after 1pm when a twin-engined light aircraft attempted an emergency landing in a field south-west of Waterford Airport, in the townland of Lisselan. Unconfirmed reports indicate the aircraft declared an emergency minutes before the landing. A major incident was declared and gardaí, paramedics, Coast Guard and Waterford Fire Brigade personnel responded, with around 20 to 30 emergency personnel at the scene and the Rescue 117 Sikorsky helicopter deployed. The R685 road was closed to facilitate operations. The aircraft sustained major damage to the front section after appearing to impact nose-first; the tail section remained upright. One theory suggests the nose gear sank into the sod while attempting to reach the runway. The Air Accident Investigation Unit has been notified and an investigation is expected.

Read at Irish Independent