"Tampering" by a member of the public may have caused last weekend's incident involving a British military helicopter at the Salthill air show, according to a preliminary report. However, it was not believed to have been a malicious act.
The Department of Transport's Air Accident Investigation Unit has ruled out technical faults in its initial investigation into the incident, in which three people were struck by a helicopter emergency panel last Sunday evening.
The panel fell 46m (150ft) from a Royal Air Force Merlin helicopter, which had taken off from Salthill promenade, and struck three people on the beach. The three were taken to University College Hospital, Galway, and were released later that evening. Most severely hurt was a Polish man living in Cork, who was hit on his back.
The panel is currently in Salthill Garda station, which is conducting its own inquiries, as is the RAF.
However, the AAIU believes that the door and its locking mechanism were "fully airworthy prior to separation" and that there was no technical failure. It says that digital video and camera evidence provided by "many sources" confirms that the "emergency egress door-locking handle" was in the "jettison" or unlocked position as the helicopter lifted off.
It says it believes a member or members of the public had tampered with the door handle while the helicopter was on display that afternoon. It does not believe the tampering was a "premeditated, malicious deed".
It says none of the crew noticed the handle's position during the pre-flight inspection. The helicopter was carrying three crew and four passengers.
The AAIU is continuing its investigation. Supt Noel Kelly, of Salthill Garda station, said that its investigation was "progressing". The British Ministry of Defence said last night that it had noted the findings of the AAIU report but said it would be premature to comment ahead of its own inquiry.