Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 June 2004
58 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence if an inquiry has been held into the crash of an Air Corps aircraft on 6 May 2004 in which a person (details supplied) lost his life; if the cause of the accident has been established; if a review of safety procedures is planned in view of the crash; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17934/04]
View answerI take this opportunity to again extend my deepest sympathy to the family of Second Lieutenant Raymond Heery who was tragically killed in this accident involving an Air Corps Cessna aircraft at Clonbullogue, County Offaly, on 6 May 2004. On learning of the accident the GOC Air Corps immediately instituted an air safety investigation. The investigation team members are drawn from the Air Corps flight safety section and the Military Airworthiness Authority. The purpose of this investigation is to establish all facts pertinent to the accident, to analyse these facts and to produce safety recommendations to prevent future similar accidents. This investigation is ongoing and upon conclusion, a report will be furnished to GOC Air Corps. In addition to the aforementioned investigation, the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces is currently convening a military court of inquiry in accordance with Defence Forces regulation A5. The report of the GOC Air Corps air safety investigation, will be one of the items of evidence considered by the military court of inquiry. The Deputy will appreciate it would not be appropriate to speculate on the cause of this tragic accident until these detailed inquiries have been completed.
I join the Minister in expressing my sympathy to the family of Second Lieutenant Heery. I am sure the Minister will agree it is important that the cause of the crash be established. How long will the inquiry take? Have there been preliminary findings from the investigation? Is there an indication as to whether the cause of the crash was mechanical failure or human or other error?
At this stage it would be premature to speculate on the cause of the tragic accident. We have to allow the military court of inquiry and the air investigation to proceed. I can understand why Deputy Sherlock is anxious for me to put a time limit on it. Clearly, since it is done away from the auspices of any Minister or anybody else, I cannot put a time limit on it. I hope it will not take more than a few weeks, but I cannot be certain about that.
Has there been a review of the remainder of the Cessna aircraft? Will the Minister confirm if there is video footage of the crash and, if so, has it been made available to the investigators?
I confirm that video footage is available. It will be a matter for the military court of inquiry and the air investigation whether to utilise it. I presume all available information, video footage or otherwise, will be fully utilised to determine the true cause of the accident.
