AAIU report into incident with EI-WAT

The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) of the Department of Transport has issued it's report into an incident which occurred to Tecnam P-2000-JF registered EI-WAT at Waterford Airport on December 5, 2008. On the day in question the student pilot with 36 hours experience had completed a solo flight to Cork and back but on landing in a crosswind at Waterford the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft which departed the side of the runway.  The propeller, an engine mount, the nose wheel spat and a pitot static tube were damaged. The pilot who was uninjured admitted to the investigation that he had lost control of the aircraft through not applying sufficient rudder to maintain directional control on landing. The wind at time of landing translated into a crosswind component of 14kts with a tailwind of 5kts. Following the incident the Flying Club placed a limit of 10kts for SPL licence holders. The AAIU did not make any safety recommendations in it's report.

Waterford reports 2008 passenger figures

Waterford Airport yesterday reported it's 2008 passenger figures. A total of 144,000, representing a 25% increase YoY used the airport last year. Destinations served from the southeast airport were Luton, Birmingham, Manchester and a number of continental European destinations which were served on a seasonal basis.

Waterford Airport records jump in passenger numbers

Waterford Airport has recorded a significant jump in passenger numbers for the first nine months of 2008.

In the period January to September, 110,696 passengers passed through the airport compared to 88,431 for the same period in 2007, a 25% increase.