AAIU report into loss of Caravan N208EC

The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) of the Department of Transport issued it's final report into the loss of Cessna Caravan N208EC at Inverin Airport in Connemara on July 5 2007.

The purpose of the flight was a demonstration of an aircraft to a group of potential investors and interested parties associated with a new airport project at Clifden, Co. Galway. One member of the group had organised the flight through an Aircraft Services Intermediary or broker. The ASI had requested the aircraft from it's beneficial owner who agreed to loan the aircraft and it's pilot for the day. 

On the morning of the crash N208EC positioned from it's base in Weston to Inverin, routing overhead Galway airport. The original plan had been to fly the party from Inverin to Inis Meain in the Arann Islands for lunch and a presentation and return thereafter to the mainland. Prior to departure from Inverin it was found that the party exceeded the capacity of the Caravan so an Aer Arann Islander was hired for the extra passengers. 

After lunch the Islander dropped two of the party back to Inverin as they had to attend a meeting, the aircraft thereafter returning to Inis Meain to collect the remainder of the party. In order to allow everyone experience flying in the Caravan, the passengers swapped aircraft with those flying out on the Islander returning on the Cessna.

The Caravan returned to the mainland first but the weather conditions had significantly altered since their departure. Since the pilot did not contact Inverin on his radio before landing he was unaware of the change in the wind direction. As a result the aircraft experienced a significant tailwind on finals which caused the pilot to effect a late go around. During the go around control was lost which caused the aircraft to make an uncommanded left turn at high engine power and abnormally low speed. The aircraft struck the ground, hitting a large boulder. The left wing severed and the engine detached in the impact which according to one witness caused the aircraft to bounce to a height of approximately 100ft before returning to earth.

The 59 year old pilot and one passenger were killed. The remaining 7 passengers suffered severe injuries.

The report found  that the aircraft was over weight for the landing but that a trim sheet had not been prepared for the flight. In addition the report found that the QNH setting had not been altered from that given when the aircraft overflew Carnmore Airport in Galway that morning. This resulted in the runway at Inverin coming into view much later than expected, giving the pilot little time to evaluate the suitability of the runway for landing given the prevailing weather conditions.