Irish Helicopter Emergency Landing Co.Roscommon [Archive]

yellowwall

3rd Oct 2011, 12:37

Taken from the RTE news website.

EI-DTR Helicopter forced to make emergency landing
The pilot of a helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in a field near the village of Taughmaconnell in Co Roscommon this evening.
The helicopter came down shortly after take-off about 10 km from Ballinasloe.

Emergency services were called to the scene. The pilot escaped injury from the R44.

Great to hear the pilots is alright, anyone know any more information ?

Helicopter forced to make emergency landing - RT News (http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1002/taughmaconnell.html)

yellowwall

4th Oct 2011, 18:54

Link with Photo : Week in Pictures - Irish Independent Galleries (http://photos.independent.ie/gallery/1316784836302/slideshow/The_Air_Accident_Investigation_Unit_is_examining_the_scene_o f_a_helicopter_crash_in_Roscommon._A/0cpnf6u7wpdHY)

A BUSINESSMAN is recovering today after being forced to make a terrifying helicopter crash-landing in a field not long after take-off.

A small, two-seater Robinson 44 aircraft piloted by businessman Michael Mannion crash-landed five miles outside of Athlone at around 8pm on Sunday evening.

It is understood Mr Mannion, who is in his thirties and who runs a successful quarry business in Bealnamulla, Co Roscommon, had just taken off from the Ballinasloe Horse Fair when the aircraft got into difficulty.

The businessman, who runs R&M Quarries, was alone in the aircraft at the time of the accident.

The aircraft crashed ten miles away from the fair at Taughmaconnell. Miraculously he walked out of the wreckage shaken but unharmed. An experienced pilot, Mr Mannion has his own landing strip at the back of his home in Co Roscommon.

Chief air-accident investigator Jurgen Whyte told the Irish Independent the emergency services were first alerted to the incident when a beacon signal from the aircraft was picked up on Sunday evening.

Each helicopter has its own individual signal with an identifying serial number which usually goes off as a result of an impact.

This beacon is monitored by a satellite which then notifies the emergency services who can trace the aircraft to its owner. A full technical examination is under way at the Department of Transport's Air Accident Investigation Unit in Co Meath.

- Edel O'Connell

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n252/RDCARPENTER_2006/EI-DTR.jpg