Triskelle raises an interesting point.....just what magnitude of downdraft could be experienced at Blackrock with a 20 Knot Southwesterly Wind blowing?
How high above Blackrock could that down flow of air be encountered?
If the Aircraft was on some sort of FMS SAR mode tracking inbound towards Blacksod.....could the aircraft have lost height as it was tracking overhead Blackrock and the crew not have time to counter the ROD produced by the down draft?
Yes.....I know.....just "what iffing it" a bit in following up on his comment.
I know from experience a 45 Knot Wind over an offshore platform can produce some really sporty turbulence on the down wind side......20 Knots seemed to be just some bumps and wiggles.