The aircraft in which a pilot and an instructor were killed in a crash last month disintegrated in mid-air, witnesses have claimed.
A preliminary report was carried out into the fatal collision near Duncormick, Co Wexford, on October 6.
Witnesses to the crash noted they had heard the plane emitting a loud noise before breaking up in the air at around 4.40pm.
One observed the Rollason Druine D.62B Condor light aircraft performing a number of consecutive roll manoeuvres minutes before the accident.
And several others conferred, saying it had executed three
in total. Waxing and waning sounds from the engine were also reported by several onlookers just prior to the crash.
During the descent from the third loop, witnesses said there were two loud bangs and cracking sounds.
Parts were also seen to fall from the plane before it began spiralling down.
The report by the Air Accident Investigation Unit noted the operating rules of the aircraft, which was owned by a five-person trust, did not permit any aerobatic manoeuvres apart from spins, while its flight permit stated aerobatic manoeuvres were “not allowed”.
Peter Tawse, 61, an aviation instructor and former manager of Waterford Regional Airport from New Ross, Co Wexford
and John Finnan, 58, were both killed in the crash.
The aircraft had taken off earlier from Taghmon Airfield in Co Wexford on what was its second flight of the day.
The pilot who had flown the first flight told AAIU inspectors its handling and performance were normal with no problems noticed.
He said he was told by Mr Finnan he was going up “to do spins” and they had a general discussion about aerobatics including the G force that would be experienced during a barrel roll.
Mr Finnan, from Naas, Co Kildare, was also observed walking around the aircraft carrying out a full check before take-off.
The report also noted that before the fatal flight the instructor was heard to remark: “I suppose I better take the loose bits out of it.”
A witness said there was a “completely normal take-off and a complete normal climb” to at least 3,000ft on the fatal flight.
The bodies of the two pilots were found around 50m away from the main part of the aircraft.
The wreckage was found across a number of fields.
The AAIU said its investigation was ongoing and a full report would be published in due course.
