New details on tragic helicopter crash in Westmeath that killed two people

A fatal helicopter crash in County Westmeath is believed to have occurred during a training exercise, according to a preliminary report.

At the time of the crash near the village of Killucan on July 30 at approximately 3.30pm, an instructor and a student were on board the helicopter.

Both passengers were killed and the helicopter was destroyed in the crash.

While the Aircraft Accident Investigation Unit's preliminary report does not contain any analysis or conclusions, it does state that there was no evidence of a loss of power or engine malfunction prior to impact.

The student, who had earned a private pilot's license for a different class of helicopter earlier this year, wanted to obtain a type rating for the exact helicopter involved in the crash – which he had earned last year.

According to the approved training organization, the student pilot intended to fly with three other pilots who were also to receive training on the helicopter.

Since none of them had the qualifications to fly the helicopter, a licensed flight instructor who had arrived in Ireland two days before the crash was assigned to provide training.

Several training flights took place on the Monday and Tuesday of the crash.

The flights apparently included “autorotation” training maneuvers designed to simulate an engine failure during flight. The engine detaches from the main rotor disk and the rotor blades are only powered by the upward flow of air through the rotor.

This was followed by flights by the student, who also completed two training flights with the flight instructor.

The preliminary report states: “At approximately 1425 hrs, while on a mission near Killucan, Co. Westmeath and apparently during a sixth practice autorotation, the helicopter impacted the surface of an agricultural field.”

“It then flew forward at a height sufficient to overcome a border fence and crashed into the gable wall of a farm building.

“The helicopter came to rest nose down in the wall and roof of the building.”

“Both occupants were fatally injured. There was no fire.”

Rescue workers recovered the two dead people from the wreckage. They were apparently wearing seat belts.

Investigators are waiting for the results of the autopsy.

The student had completed more than 100 hours of flight time, while the instructor had more than 5,250 hours of flight experience.

On July 31, 2023, the helicopter was issued a standard FAA airworthiness certificate.

As part of the investigation, the crash site was also examined in detail.

It was found that the tail of the helicopter was still loosely attached by a wiring harness and the control cables for changing the pitch of the tail rotor, but was broken and bent away from the airframe.

The rotor head and main rotor blades remained attached but were badly damaged.

There was no evidence of a fuel leak.

The investigation found no evidence that the main rotor blades had contacted the ground or the structure of the helicopter.

Examination of the wreckage revealed no “pre-impact anomalies” on the aircraft components, and all components were present.

The cockpit doors detached from the fuselage and were found in the main wreckage.

Parts of the fuselage and rear doors were scattered in the direction of flight from the impact with the ground to the building.

The right landing skid separated at the main impact site and was obviously deformed, spread outward and broken.

The cockpit and cabin were deformed, both pilot seats and the right passenger seat were “sprung”, an energy-absorbing deformation intended to reduce the impact force on the occupant.

The plexiglass of the cockpit was completely shattered.

Several witnesses described seeing the helicopter descend quickly as if it was about to land before climbing again. Others described hearing the engine get quieter and then get louder again.

According to the report, these behaviors are consistent with the training maneuver performed.

It said there was no evidence of a loss of power or engine malfunction before the impact.

A change in engine noise before the crash is consistent with the helicopter changing between idle and flight during the autorotation motion.

The first personnel to arrive on the scene reported that the noises heard suggested that the helicopter's engine was still running.

The investigation will continue until a final report is published.