Air accident investigators return to Waterford crash site as probe into fatal incident continues

Investigators are examining wreckage and communication attempts after a pilot died when his plane crashed while trying to reach Waterford Airport

Emergency services and investigators on scene at the air accident site, at Lisselan, near Waterford Airport. Picture: Larry Cummins

A team of air accident investigators have returned to the site of the fatal light aircraft crash in Tramore.

The Vulcanair twin engine plane is to be removed today to Gormanston in Meath, to a wreckage examination facility operated by the Air Accident Investigation Unit.

A post mortem examination is expected to be carried out on the remains of the pilot, who lost his life when the aircraft nosedived into a field close to the end of the runway of Waterford airport shortly before 1pm yesterday.

He was the sole occupant of the plane, which left Sligo Airport shortly before 11.30am and turned back towards Waterford Airport at around 12.20pm, according to flight radar data.

The aircraft was due to travel to Beziers in southern France, but did a U-turn some 50km off the south-east coast. The crash happened after the plane attempted to make an emergency landing at the airport, having declared an emergency over the south coast shortly before 1pm.

Air accident investigators will analyse any attempts at communication made from the aircraft in a bid to piece together what led to the fatal crash. They will also sift through wreckage at the site.

More than 30 emergency personnel responded to the crash at Lisselan, on the coast road between Tramore and Dunmore East, 3km outside Tramore. Traffic was diverted as emergency services worked at the scene.

Responders included gardaí, the National Ambulance Service, fire service personnel, and members of the Irish Coast Guard. The air accident investigation unit confirmed shortly after the incident that four investigators were being dispatched to the scene.

As darkness fell on the site yesterday evening, the plane remained in the field, with the front of it severely damaged by the impact.

A Garda statement issued Thursday evening said: “Gardaí and emergency services are currently at the scene of a light aircraft collision which occurred at Tramore, Co Waterford at approximately 12.50pm this afternoon, Thursday, November 20, 2025. Initial reports indicate that there was one fatality, the sole occupant of the aircraft.

“The air accident investigation unit is at the scene and the Irish Aviation Authority has been notified. The scene is being preserved and investigations are ongoing.”

Gardaí say their role will be to prepare a file for the coroner’s court.

Sinn Féin TD for Waterford David Cullinane said a rescue helicopter was among emergency services responding to the crash. He said it was a “shock” to the local area, adding that the community’s thoughts are with whoever was on the plane. 

His party colleague, councillor Jim Griffin said he was in traffic close to the scene when he saw emergency vehicles responding to the crash.