Man dies in exhibition flight accident

A MAN was killed after his plane crashed in North Kerry yesterday shortly after completing an exhibition flight.

The married man, aged 57, was the sole occupant of the plane, which came down in a field between Ardfert and Causeway at about 4.30pm.

The dead man, from Co Clare, had just completed a number of aerial manoeuvres, entertaining crowds at the Ardfert Summerfest.

His Cessna plane subsequently crashed into a large ditch at the side of a field about a mile-and-a-half outside the village. It is understood the man was killed instantly. The plane did not ignite but was severely damaged.

The victim’s body was taken to Kerry General Hospital in Tralee where a post mortem is expected to be carried out later today. The man had earlier departed from Coonagh airfield in Co Limerick before taking part in the festival. Eyewitnesses said the plane had plunged “very suddenly” into the ditch. Nobody else was injured.

Weather conditions were perfect at the time of the crash. The victim regularly performed exhibition flights at festivals in Kerry.

Following yesterday’s fatal accident, all other activities scheduled to take place last night as part of the Summerfest were cancelled as a mark of respect.

Two investigations are now underway into the accident, involving the gardaí and the Department of Transport’s Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU). Gardaí yesterday sealed off the crash site at Ballyrobert Cross pending today’s arrival of officials from the AAIU.

Gardaí last night appealed for any witnesses to the accident to contact them at Tralee Garda Station on 066 7122022.

“We are particularly interested in talking to spectators who may have relevant video footage or photographs,” a garda spokesman said.

In Kildare, a pilot had a lucky escape when his light aircraft came down on the N78 between Athy and Kilcullen.

Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene. The pilot escaped injury.