Relatives of the four airmen who died in the 1999 Air Corps Dauphin helicopter crash at Tramore have expressed serious concern about deleted sections of a military court of inquiry report into the accident, writes Lorna Siggins, Marine Correspondent.
They are also concerned about a separate memo obtained from Defence Forces records.
The report was completed after the official investigation found a series of organisational and infrastructural deficiencies had contributed to the crash. The military court agreed with many of the Air Accident Investigation Unit's (AAIU) findings, but also identified several additional factors. Copies of the military report were given to the relatives, with several sections deleted.
One of the relatives, Mr Tony Baker - father of the late Capt Mick Baker - has also recently obtained a memo, a copy of which has been seen by The Irish Times, in which the head of the Air Corps had advised on June 15th, 1999, against initiating 24-hour air/sea search and rescue cover in the south-east on July 1st.
The General Officer Commanding Air Corps, Brig Gen Patrick Cranfield, conveyed his reservations in a fleet status forecast. His junior, who was then head of the No 3 Support Wing responsible for search and rescue, stated in a response on June 17th, 1999, that he "entirely disagreed" with the GOC's strategy. In any event, the Government pushed ahead with upgrading the base to 24 hours - a strategy identified as flawed in the AAIU report, given the lack of preparation.
The military court of inquiry identified "serious organisational inadequacies" with the Dauphin helicopter service launched at Waterford on July 1st. It identified inoperative facilities at Waterford Airport on the night of the crash, and notes that the Air Corps crew were under undue pressure and should not have been made available to respond to that mission.
Significantly, it also noted that a weather forecast machine at the airport terminal was not working, although two attempts were made by the co-pilot to obtain information from it.
Weather was a key factor in the crash, which occurred in the early hours of July 2nd when the helicopter collided with a sand dune at Tramore, Co Waterford. All four crewmen - Capt Dave O'Flaherty, Capt Mick Baker, Sgt Paddy Mooney and Cpl Niall Byrne - died. The AAIU investigation found no evidence of the crew having updated weather information, whereas the military court of inquiry found unsuccessful attempts were made.
A spokesman for the Defence Forces press office told The Irish Times the military court report was for internal use, but it had been agreed that copies should be given to the bereaved relatives. Sections had been deleted because military witnesses had given evidence relating to Waterford Airport and personnel working there.
The press office has also said the fleet status forecast of June 15th, 1999, was dealt with in the official investigation by the AAIU. Neither of the investigative reports refers specifically to the document.