No charges for Irish pilot after stunt death

THE Irish stunt pilot involved in a fatal mid-air collision during an airshow in Malta last weekend is unlikely to face any charges over the accident.

Eddie Goggins, a 36-year-old father of two from Stepaside, Co Dublin, narrowly escaped death by parachuting from his single-engine plane which collided with another aircraft during an aerobatic display last Sunday.

The pilot of the other airplane, Swedish pilot Gabor Varga.

Maltese police had issued a warrant for the temporary arrest of Mr Goggins on Monday on the basis that he could have committed involuntary homicide.

Mr Goggins, who is also a dentist, was held under house arrest at his hotel in Malta until Wednesday.

However, legal sources in Malta say it is unlikely he will face any charges.

Aviation experts told a court hearing that the plane crash was a clear accident. Mr Goggins gave evidence that he had not seen Mr Varga’s plane.

A magistrate rescinded the warrant which allows the him to leave, though the investigation continues.

It emerged this week that Mr Goggins was involved in an incident at Abbeyshrule, Co Longford which was investigated by the Air Accident Investigation Unit.

However, the official report found that Mr Goggins was blameless.