Fatal-flight probe focusing on weather

An investigation into a light aircraft crash which killed a family last month is focusing on the weather conditions, it emerged tonight.

Britons Sharif Booz, his wife Margaret O’Kennedy Booz, their 14-year-old son Aymon and his friend Charlie Froud, also 14, all died in the crash on remote mountains in Ireland.

Their bodies were recovered in the wreckage of the Piper PA 28-180 single engine plane at Corriebracks, Donard, Co Wicklow the following day after a massive search operation by rescue teams.

A preliminary accident report from Ireland’s Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) said the aircraft was discovered nine miles west of the last recorded radar position.

Investigator Leo Murray said: “The investigation is currently examining all aspects of the flight, in particular the weather conditions prevailing en-route and at the time of the accident.

“A final report will be published in due course.”

Mr Booz, an experienced pilot, was heading for Kilrush Airfield in Co Kildare.

The couple, who were in their 50s, were visiting relatives in the nearby town of Newbridge.

But the October half-term school break ended in tragedy.

Investigations showed the property developer left Gloucestershire Airport in the UK just before 9am on Saturday, October 25.

Mr Murray said the pilot made initial contact with Dublin Air Traffic Control (ATC) at 1012hrs and was recorded crossing the Irish Sea at an altitude of 6,500 feet.

An hour later he advised controllers he was “coasting in at Newcastle” and he flew over Newcastle Airfield in Co Wicklow at an altitude of 4,000 feet.

At 1117hrs Mr Booz advised Dublin ATC he was 24 miles from Kilrush, requested to continue his own navigation to Kilrush, and closed his flight plan.

Mr Murray said the last known radar contact was observed at 11.26am when aircraft was at 3,400 ft in the vicinity of Glenmacnass Waterfall, northeast of Tonelagee Mountain.

A concerned relative raised the alarm that the plane had failed to land at around 6pm.

Mr Murray said all airfields in the southwest region were contacted and emergency services were later advised that an aircraft was missing.

A massive rescue operation was launched by gardaí, the coastguard, defence forces and mountain rescue personnel from Dublin, Wicklow, Tipperary and Northern Ireland.

Shortly after 9am the wreckage was located near the summit of Corriebracks Mountain, Co. Wicklow at 1,500 ft.

“The accident site was approximately nine miles west of the last recorded radar position,” said Mr Murray.

“The four occupants were found fatally injured within the cabin of the aircraft.

Investigations by the AAIU found Mr Booz had contacted Kilrush earlier in the week and advised of his intention to land that weekend, but did not give a date or estimated time of arrival and was not expected.

“In addition, having closed his flight plan during flight, there was no longer a requirement for the pilot to make telephone contact with ATC to confirm his safe arrival, nor was there a requirement for ATC to confirm his actual arrival at Kilrush,” added Mr Murray.