One dead after light aircraft crashes in field near Waterford Airport

Aircraft attempting an emergency landing at Waterford Airport crashed into a field near Tramore, killing one person

The light aircraft crashed near Waterford Airport on Thursday afternoon. Picture: Howard Crowdy

One person has died after a light aircraft crashed in a field near Waterford Airport.

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.

Emergency services are at the scene, and the Waterford-based Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 has been dispatched.

The flight is believed to have left Sligo Airport earlier today shortly before 11.30am and was en route to France, having turned around some distance off the southern coast at around 12.20pm.

The aircraft was heading for Waterford Airport for an emergency landing when it crashed about 3km outside Tramore on the coast road to Dunmore East.

The twin-engine plane is believed to be privately owned, and it is not yet known how many people were on board.

The Irish Examiner understands the aircraft nosedived into a field at around 12.50pm.

Traffic in the area has been diverted as emergency services work at the scene. The Coast Guard helicopter that responded has returned to Waterford Airport.

Flight tracker images over Waterford Airport. Image: Shauns_Aviation/X.

Alongside a garda investigation, the Air Accident Investigation Unit is expected to open a full inquiry.

A garda spokesperson told the Irish Examiner, that gardaí and emergency services "are currently at the scene of a collision involving a light aircraft at a location near Tramore, Co. Waterford which occurred at approximately 12:50pm this afternoon, Thursday 20th November 2025.

"As this is a live and ongoing operation, no further information is available at this time," the spokesperson said.

A team of four inspectors is travelling to the site at Lisselan to begin an investigation into the crash, according to the Air Accident Investigation Unit.

In a statement, the AAIU said it had been notified of "an accident involving a twin-engined general aviation aircraft in the vicinity of Lisselan Co. Waterford this afternoon".

"The AAIU is deploying a team of four inspectors of air accidents to the accident site to commence an investigation."

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.

 - Additional reporting from PA