You can contribute by submitting additional or updated information.
| Date: | Sunday 11 December 2022 |
| Time: | 15:45 |
| Type: |  Robinson R44 Raven II |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N999RL |
| MSN: | 10614 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2005 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 1008 hours |
| Engine model: | Lycoming IO-540-AE1A5 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | near Brannockstown, Co Kildare -
 Ireland
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Tagoat |
| Kildare Aerodrome (EIKH) | |
| Investigating agency: | AAIU |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The Robinson R44 Raven II Helicopter departed from a private site at Ballygarrett, Co. Wexford at approximately 14:32 hrs and flew to another private site at Tagoat, also in Co. Wexford. The helicopter departed Tagoat at approximately 14:58 hrs for a flight to Kilrush Airfield (EIKH) and followed a north-westerly track towards EIKH. When the helicopter was approximately 0.7 nautical miles (NM) to the south-west of EIKH and at an altitude of approximately 1,800 feet (ft), it turned right (north-east). It continued past EIKH and remained on a north-easterly track for a further 8.3 NM approximately, before turning back towards the south-west. Then, for a number of minutes, the helicopter flew back-and-forth in the Kennycourt area, which is approximately 7 NM north-east of EIKH, before impacting with terrain near Kennycourt at approximately 15:45 hrs. The helicopter was destroyed due to the impact and a post-crash fire. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured.
The Investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was a loss of control due to spatial disorientation following a loss of external visual references during an attempted or aborted descent in sub-optimal visibility conditions. The contributory causes were determined to be plan continuation bias when the flight was continued in meteorological conditions in which visual contact with the surface was deteriorating, and possible increasing pressure to land, or get to EIKH, due to a decreasing fuel quantity.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
https://www.thesun.ie/news/9889903/one-person-dead-helicopter-crash-kildare-field-gardai/
https://www.independent.ie/news/pilot-dies-following-helicopter-crash-in-co-kildare-42213383.html
https://www.thejournal.ie/helicopter-kilcullen-5943507-Dec2022/
https://kilcullenbridge.blogspot.com/2022/12/helicopter-crash-at-kennycourt.html
https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2022/12/12/investigation-resumes-at-scene-of-helicopter-crash-in-co-kildare/
https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=adf594&lat=53.111&lon=-6.735&zoom=13.0&showTrace=2022-12-11
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=999RL
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ghbhd/27695380737 (photo)
Media:
The AAIU has completed an initial survey of the accident site at Brannockstown, Co. Kildare, and will return in the morning to continue its activities, including an ongoing site survey, witness interviews, and recovery of the wreckage to the AAIU wreckage examination facility.
— AAIU IRELAND (@aaiu_ireland) December 11, 2022
The wreckage is being transported under escort to the AAIU wreckage examination facility at Gormanston Co Meath for further assessment. The AAIU will consider all the circumstances surrounding the flight and a Preliminary Report will be published within one month of the accident.
— AAIU IRELAND (@aaiu_ireland) December 12, 2022
?? Ireland: Pilot Dead Following #R44 #Robinson Helicopter Crash In Brannockstown, Co Kildare.
— PLANES OF LEGEND (@PlanesOfLegend) December 12, 2022
ASN: https://t.co/WjkfDx1Kk6
Press: https://t.co/F8kynvGVzq pic.twitter.com/5lrLILx38c
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 09-Jul-2024 19:08 | ASN | Updated [Embed code, Accident report, ] |
| 30-Aug-2024 12:08 | ASN | Updated [Time, Departure airport, Destination airport, Narrative, Accident report, ] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2025 Flight Safety Foundation