Vol. 408 No. 5
39 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself with the safety and capability of the Fouga Magister aircraft in view of recent incidents including a fatality in County Cavan in December 1990 and the most recent incident at Whitegate, County Cork, on 24 April 1991.
The Air Corps aircraft which crashed in County Cavan on 13 December 1990 was a Marchetti and not a Fouga Magister as stated in the question.
On 24 April 1991 an Air Corps Fouga Magister aircraft, which was being flown by a student pilot, made a forced landing at Whitegate, County Cork. The pilot was not injured and only minor damage was caused to the aircraft. The investigation into the incident has not yet been completed but I am informed that there is no indication of any technical fault with the aircraft.
The Fouga Magister aircraft have given excellent service to the Air Corps and they have every confidence in the continued serviceability of the aircraft.
