Air Corps crash video examined

[Frank]

Air Corps crash video examined


THE plane crash that killed a young Air Corps pilot in the midlands last month was captured on video. The Irish Independent has learned that military experts have obtained and are examining video footage of the Cessna crash in which Sec Lt Raymond Heery died.

The plane crashed on take-off shortly after 12.40pm as Defence Forces parachute training was taking place on an Irish Parachute Club airstrip in Clonbollogue, near Edenderry, Co Offaly.

Sec Lt Heery (22), from Oldcastle, Co Meath, was killed instantly. He had just dropped off a number of colleagues at the airstrip and was returning to Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel when the accident happened.

It is understood that a friend of the pilot made the video recording. Investigators have taken statements from more than 50 witnesses, mostly Defence Forces personnel.

Bill Corcoran

---------------------------------

For those of you with a Unison / irish Independent logon the story can be read here

[Irish251]

The fact that there is video evidence was acknowledged in the Dail recently by the Minister for Defence - he would not be drawn on the cause of the crash pending the outcome of the official inquiry process.