AIR ACCIDENT investigators are to examine a light aircraft today that crashed yesterday near Ireland West Airport Knock, Co Mayo, claiming the life of the pilot.
A male passenger in the aircraft, which was flying from Knock to Weston airport in Dublin when it got into difficulties at about 4.45pm, was seriously injured. He was recovering last night at Sligo General Hospital.
The pilot had radioed that he was in difficulties and was trying to return to the Co Mayo airport when he was forced to land at Cloonamna, Kilmovee, about three miles away.
He is understood to be in his 50s and well known in local aviation circles. He has experience as a flying instructor.
Members of a local family, the O’Donnells, were quickly on the scene of the crash.
Maura O’Donnell Murphy said: “The plane was very badly damaged but one wing was still intact. I didn’t notice any unusual sounds from the engine before the plane crash-landed.”
Firemen from Ballaghaderreen, Charlestown and Claremorris were quickly on the scene.