Report into Clara plane crash found no mechanical failure

The final report into a fatal plane crash in Kilkenny last year has found there were no mechanical problem with the aircraft that might have caused the accident.

Local stonemason Richard ‘Dick’ O’Connell died after the microlight aircraft he was flying crashed into a wooden pole supporting high-voltage power lines in Clara.

The Air Accident Investigations Unit has published it’s final report today.

Air accident investigators found the pilot’s licence to fly microlight planes had expired in 2008.

The report says a corroded seat belt may have contributed to the pilot being thrown from the aircraft.