Air Corps chief pays tribute to crash pilots

THE head of the Irish Air Corps last night paid tribute to two pilots killed on a training mission.

Captain Derek Furniss, an experienced instructor, and Cadet David Jevens died when their two-seater light aircraft crashed in a remote mountain valley in Connemara. The pair had been on a cross country low-flying exercise with two other planes from Casement Aerodrome near Dublin, to Galway and back.

It emerged yesterday from eyewitness reports the plane came within five feet of clearing the mountain and might have been able to land in flat bog had it managed to get over the top.

General Officer Commanding the Air Corps, Brigadier General Ralph James said the organisation was devastated by the deaths. “The mood here is very sombre,” he said.

“Derek was a consummate professional who set and drove standards in all his work in Baldonnel.

“David was living his life’s dream to become an Air Corps pilot and was on the cusp of achieving that later in the year with his classmates.”

Capt Furniss was a highly regarded instructor. Captain Matt Quinlan, who worked with him in the Flight Training School paid a glowing tribute.

“He was an excellent teacher and he was always the steady hand within the school that was called upon for informed insight into individual cadet pilots.

“He was a quiet individual who worked very hard. When you flew with him you knew his preparation would be 100%, because he was so committed.”

Cadet Jevens was due to graduate with Military Pilot Wings and Officer Commission later this year.

President Mary McAleese, Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Defence Minister Willie O’Dea also offered their condolences.

The wreckage of the men’s two-seater Pilatus PC-9 training plane remained on a remote hillside near north Lough Corrib. It is expected to be airlifted off to a nearby field to be examined. Their bodies were removed yesterday afternoon and taken to relatives waiting in Galway.

A woman who raised the alarm reported seeing the stricken plane flying low near the village of Cornamona, Co Galway, just before hearing a loud bang.

“Part of the purpose was to fly low,” a Defence Forces spokesman said. “Low level flying would be 1,500 feet, so it’s not hedge-hopping or nap-of-the-earth flying.”

The Swiss-made plane, was grounded by Slovenian defence forces in 2008 over concerns about ejector seats. Sean McCormack, Air Corps spokesman, confirmed the cockpit voice and flight data recorder would be sent to Casement Aerodrome for analysis.

He insisted the safety record of the Pilatus PC-9 fleet was impeccable.

The Defence Forces spokesman said weather conditions were good at the time of the take-off from Baldonnel but an inquiry would look at the conditions in the west of Ireland at the time of the crash.

The Air Corps have eight Pilatus PC-9M aircraft. The two-seater turbo propeller planes are used mainly for training pilots and instructors and as close air support craft.

Commandant Seamus McCormack, Air Corps Press Officer, said the loss of the two crewmen was devastating. “It has been a very sad day for the organisation.

Comdt McCormack said it was quite difficult for his team to get on site. “It’s about a 25-minute trek across mountains to get on scene.”

The deceased captain Derek Furniss, originally from Ballinteer lived in Dublin area with his partner Lesley.

“He joined the organisation in 1994 and was commissioned with his wings in 1996. He joined the training school in 1998 and has been there since.

“He was our most experienced instructor with over 3,000 flying hours. He was also the leader of our display team in Baldonnel and our solo display pilot.”

Cadet Jevens was just turned 22 and joined the organisation in September 2006.

Commandant Gavin Young, Defence Forces, Press Officer, said the on-site investigation is going to take about 48-72 hours.