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13/08/2009
Praise For Rescued Pilot
The Air Rescue Department has praised the pilot that survived after ditching his aircraft off the coast of Wexford.
Pilot John O’Shaughnessy performed a forced landing near Tuskar Rock lighthouse in Wexford when his two-seater Avid Speedwing suffered a power failure at about 4.45pm on Tuesday.
The light aircraft, which is believed to have been flown from England, was seen crashing in to the sea by mariners in a nearby rowing boat who sent a mayday call into the coastguard.
Mr O'Shaughnessy made his way to the wing of the submerged plane before being winched to safety by a Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) rescue helicopter and was suffering from shock and hypothermia.
He was the only person on board the Avid Speedwing single-engine aircraft.
Jurgen Whyte, chief inspector of the AAIU, said a technical team report would follow once the investigation is complete.
Mr Whyte said the pilot had been interviewed about the incident and that he had done well when ditching the aircraft following the power failure.
"The pilot did a very good job in ditching the aircraft safely and evacuating to the wing," he said.
"He was very complimentary to the emergency services and helpful to our investigation."
It is believed that the man was flying from west Haverford in England to Wellington Bridge in Wexford. The wreckage was secured by coastguard crews and towed in to Rosslare Harbour.
The Air Accident Investigation Unit said two inspectors were sent to the scene to examine the aircraft and determine the cause of the crash.
A spokesman said: "We don't have any idea yet why it crashed. The pilot's injuries are not life-threatening."
(DW/BMcC)
Pilot John O’Shaughnessy performed a forced landing near Tuskar Rock lighthouse in Wexford when his two-seater Avid Speedwing suffered a power failure at about 4.45pm on Tuesday.
The light aircraft, which is believed to have been flown from England, was seen crashing in to the sea by mariners in a nearby rowing boat who sent a mayday call into the coastguard.
Mr O'Shaughnessy made his way to the wing of the submerged plane before being winched to safety by a Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) rescue helicopter and was suffering from shock and hypothermia.
He was the only person on board the Avid Speedwing single-engine aircraft.
Jurgen Whyte, chief inspector of the AAIU, said a technical team report would follow once the investigation is complete.
Mr Whyte said the pilot had been interviewed about the incident and that he had done well when ditching the aircraft following the power failure.
"The pilot did a very good job in ditching the aircraft safely and evacuating to the wing," he said.
"He was very complimentary to the emergency services and helpful to our investigation."
It is believed that the man was flying from west Haverford in England to Wellington Bridge in Wexford. The wreckage was secured by coastguard crews and towed in to Rosslare Harbour.
The Air Accident Investigation Unit said two inspectors were sent to the scene to examine the aircraft and determine the cause of the crash.
A spokesman said: "We don't have any idea yet why it crashed. The pilot's injuries are not life-threatening."
(DW/BMcC)
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