PILOT DIES IN LIGHT AIRCRAFT HORROR
Probe into death of dad-of-two Michael
Crash site near Ballina
Air Accident Unit take plane for investigation Cllr John O’hara
Pilot Michael Mccarrick, in his fifties with teenage children, was killed when the light aircraft he was flying came down near his home town of Ballina.
Tributes were paid to Mr Mccarrick, described as a small plane enthusiast, as news of his death spread in Co Mayo yesterday.
He was a popular figure who worked as a network technician for the ESB for the past 40 years.
It’s believed he went flying in a twin-seater aircraft after work on Friday evening to take advantage of the good weather.
The plane reportedly lost altitude rapidly and hit the ground in a field at Breaffy, around three miles from the town, shortly after 6pm. Witnesses reported hearing sounds indicating the aircraft was
He was a man in the sky. He loved flying, really loved it. The town is heartbroken CLLR JOHN O’HARA BALLINA, CO MAYO, YESTERDAY
in distress before it hit the ground. It is understood Mr Mccarrick, the only person on board, was trapped in the cockpit.
Emergency services, including units from Mayo Fire Service, rushed to the scene but were unable to save him.
Last night local councillor John O’hara, who worked with Michael at the ESB, paid tribute.
He told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “I knew him well, I worked with him all my adult life. He was a gentleman.
“It’s heartbreaking, the whole town is in shock. You hear of people killed in car crashes but this is somehow worse.
“He really loved it, to go out in the plane. He loved his flying and did nearly 2,000 parachute jumps.
“He was always a man in the sky. The town extends its sympathies to his wife and children.”
Inspectors from the Air Accident Investigation Unit arrived at the scene on Friday and removed the wreckage yesterday.
It was last night transported to a hangar at Gormanstown in Co Meath where a full investigation into will be conducted. A postmortem will be carried out in Castlebar tomorrow.
news@irishmirror.ie