reportfurther
25th Jan 2002, 02:49
A 1968 plane crash off the east coast of Ireland which killed all 61 people on board was probably caused by corrosion or a bird strike, an inquiry has found.
The cause of the crash of Aer Lingus flight 712 has been a mystery for more than 30 years.
A 1970 report by Ireland's Department of Transport failed to explain why the four-engine Viscount aircraft crashed, but did not rule out that a British missile or unmanned aircraft could have downed it accidentally.
Today's report, compiled by a team of international experts at the request of Ireland's Public Enterprise Minister Mary O'Rourke, said a "structural failure" in the plane's tail probably had caused the crash.
"Possible causal factors are metal fatigue, corrosion, flutter (vibration) or a bird strike," it said.
"We have carefully examined all aspects of the tests conducted in the UK ranges and of the sea and air activities performed on that Sunday. It is our opinion that all theories involving the presence of another aircraft can be rejected," it said.
The plane took off March 24, 1968, from Cork, southwest Ireland, bound for London's Heathrow airport with 57 passengers and four crew on board. As it headed out to sea, it ran into difficulties.
Co-pilot Paul Heffernan, 22, sent out the final message: "12,000 feet (4,000 meters) descending, spinning rapidly."
The British Embassy in Dublin welcomed the report.
"It puts to rest once and for all misleading suggestions that the disaster was caused by a UK aircraft or missile," a spokesman said.
"The UK authorities co-operated fully with the international experts in their investigation."
O'Rourke said it might never be known exactly what caused the crash, but said the experts had recommended the file now be closed.
The cause of the crash of Aer Lingus flight 712 has been a mystery for more than 30 years.
A 1970 report by Ireland's Department of Transport failed to explain why the four-engine Viscount aircraft crashed, but did not rule out that a British missile or unmanned aircraft could have downed it accidentally.
Today's report, compiled by a team of international experts at the request of Ireland's Public Enterprise Minister Mary O'Rourke, said a "structural failure" in the plane's tail probably had caused the crash.
"Possible causal factors are metal fatigue, corrosion, flutter (vibration) or a bird strike," it said.
"We have carefully examined all aspects of the tests conducted in the UK ranges and of the sea and air activities performed on that Sunday. It is our opinion that all theories involving the presence of another aircraft can be rejected," it said.
The plane took off March 24, 1968, from Cork, southwest Ireland, bound for London's Heathrow airport with 57 passengers and four crew on board. As it headed out to sea, it ran into difficulties.
Co-pilot Paul Heffernan, 22, sent out the final message: "12,000 feet (4,000 meters) descending, spinning rapidly."
The British Embassy in Dublin welcomed the report.
"It puts to rest once and for all misleading suggestions that the disaster was caused by a UK aircraft or missile," a spokesman said.
"The UK authorities co-operated fully with the international experts in their investigation."
O'Rourke said it might never be known exactly what caused the crash, but said the experts had recommended the file now be closed.