Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 5

Written Answers. - Air Accident Investigations.

Jack Wall

Question:

75 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence if he has received a draft report of the findings of the investigation into the cause of the crash of an Air Corps helicopter near Tramore, County Waterford in July 1999 in which four personnel died; when he expects to receive the final report of the board of inquiry; the number of meetings which have taken place between the board of inquiry and the helicopter manufacturers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17473/00]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

As I have previously stated in the House, following the accident at Tramore, County Waterford, on 2 July 1999 in which four members of the Air Corps were tragically killed, my colleague the Minister for Public Enterprise and I jointly directed that the accident be investigated under S.I. 205/97 – Air Navigation (Notification and Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Regulations, 1997. Pursuant to this direction the investigation is being conducted by the Air Accident Investigation Unit – AAIU – of the Department of Public Enterprise. A senior Air Corps officer with appropriate training is acting as investigator-in-charge. He is being assisted by Inspectors from the AAIU, by Air Corps personnel and two experts from overseas, that is, a principal inspector from the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch and the head of military psychology of the Swedish Armed Forces.

The purpose of this investigation, which is wide ranging and complex, is to determine the circum stances and cause or causes of the accident in order to prevent future such accidents. All issues, including those raised by relatives concerning safety, are being encompassed by the investigation.

In accordance with the provisions of the aforementioned statutory instrument, I, together with other relevant parties, including the families, received on 10 May 2000 a copy of the draft final report. The regulations prescribe that the contents of the draft report are to be treated as confidential pending completion of the final report after which it will be made public. Any safety measures proposed by the investigating team will be implemented as a matter of priority.

In the course of the Air Accident Investigation Unit's investigation many meetings took place with interested parties including at least three meetings with the helicopter manufacturers, Eurocopter. These meetings were followed up by a considerable amount of correspondence.

In addition to the aforementioned investigation, a military court of inquiry has been convened to inquire into the circumstances of the accident. Its main thrust will be an examination ion of both the final report of the Air Accident Investigation Unit of the Department of Public Enterprise and the coroner's report. Therefore, the work of the military court of inquiry will proceed following publication of the final report of the Air Accident Investigation Unit. The court of inquiry must also await the coroners court findings. I am informed that the coroners court is adjourned until mid-July.