Rescue 116 report finds an omission in warning system

A preliminary report into fatal crash of Coast Guard Rescue helicopter 116 found a vital omission in the aircraft’s onboard warning system.

The helicopter crashed off the coast of County Mayo on March 14th, with the tragic loss of all four crew members, including Captain Mark Duffy from Blackrock.

Rescue 116 had been providing support for another Coast Guard helicopter which responded to a medical emergency call on board a ship in the Atlantic, when it lost communication with air traffic controllers.

The first report from the Air Accident Investigation Unit, which was released last week, found that the aircraft did not include data relating to Blackrock Island, off the Mayo coast.

In the report, the Air Accident Investigation Unit says that its initial inquiries have found that an Enhanced Ground Positioning Warning System did not have the ‘ lighthouse obstacle’ included in an obstacle database and that ‘ the terrain of the island’ was not listed on a terrain database.

Examining what happened in the moments before the collision, the report found that ‘ the helicopter pitched up rapidly, impacted with terrain at the western end of Black Rock and departed from controlled flight.’

The report also contained information from the voice recorder from R116.

In the seconds before the helicopter impacted with Blackrock Island, crew members were heard discussing ‘an island directly in front of us’ before advice to ‘come right’ is issued. But three seconds later, the last recorded communication took place.

The AAIU says the inquiry is ongoing and a final report into the accident will be published in due course.

The report recommended that CHC Ireland, which operates Coast Guard Helicopters, should immediately review all route guides on Search and Rescue aircraft to enhance the information provided on obstacles and terrain.

The heroic crew of Rescue 116 were remembered at a wreath-laying ceremony last week, to mark the month anniversary of the tragedy.

The RNLI led the tributes which took place at sea off the coast of Dunmore East in Co Waterford in memory of Dara Fitzpatrick, Mark Duffy, and winchmen Paul Ormsby and Ciaran Smith, who remain lost at sea.

Representatives from the Civil Defence, the Fethard and Tramore Lifeboats and Marine Rescue were in attendance along with the Dunmore East Coast Guard.

A flare was set off as a minutes silence for each the crew was observed while prayers were said for the recovery of Ciaran and Paul who are still missing.

Niamh Fitzpatrick, sister of Captain Dara also laid a wreath on the waters in memory of the heroic crew.