The wreckage from a fatal helicopter crash in Co Clare yesterday have been removed for examination.
Frederick Balcombe died and another man was seriously injured in a helicopter crash in Co Clare yesterday. Image: Eamon Ward.
The helicopter was conducting an aerial survey for Bord Gáis of land close to the Galway to Shannon gas pipeline when it crashed into a field near the village of Ballynacally, about 10 miles from Ennis, killing one man and seriously injuring another.
Gardaí last night named the dead man as Frederick Balcombe (69), Townsparks, Skerries Co Dublin.
The pilot survived the impact with serious injuries. He is in University College Hospital, Galway.
The helicopter wreckage has been removed to the Air Accident Investigation Unit's facility in Gormanstown, Co Meath where a full investigation will take place, a spokeswoman said.
The Department of Transport's chief inspector of air accidents arrived 45 minutes after the crash. Jurgen Whyte had been in Galway investigating last weeks fatal plane crash at Connemara airport and was on his way to Shannon when he was notified of the crash.