MYSTERY OF CESSNA 208B
tributes to pilot and boy, 7, killed during parachuting event
MYSTERY surrounds the cause of an air crash that killed a young boy and the pilot during a parachuting event.
Air Accident Investigators and emergency services yesterday continued their efforts to dig out the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan aircraft from bogland near Clonbullogue in Co Offaly.
The plane plummeted to the ground just moments after 16 people leapt from it above the Irish Parachute Club aerodrome on Sunday afternoon. It fell to the ground with no radio contact. The seven-year-old boy, named locally as Kacper Kacprzak, was killed along with the pilot.
Kacper was from a Polish background and his father Krysztof was a member of the club.
Moments before the disaster he had jumped from the aircraft.
A source said: “Everyone is just totally shocked by the crash.
“Kacper was a lovely little lad and would be at the club on a regular basis.
“He would wear a flying suit – he loved planes. His dad is well known as Kris and is heavily involved in parachuting.
“He had just jumped and his son was along as a passenger with the pilot.
“The family live in Blanchardstown in Dublin and are in a deeply distressed state.”
Members of the club refused to comment when contacted by the Irish Mirror and a number of people stated they were told not to speak about the crash.
The club also shut down its website and Facebook pages. An Irish Parachute Club statement said: “The board of directors, members and friends of the Irish Parachute Club are deeply saddened at the death of the occupants of the aircraft that was operating on behalf of the club. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected.
“We would like to thank the Air Accident Investigation Unit and the Emergency Services who are continuing their investigation at this very difficult