We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
POLITICIANS HAVE SAID that recommendations from the investigation into the Irish Coast Guard helicopter R116 crash must be implemented in full.
In a sombre debate last evening, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said that he accepted the recommendations from the report.
Rescue 116 crashed off Co Mayo at 12.46am on 14 March 2017 with four crew on board after it struck Blackrock Island, 12 miles off the coast.
An investigation report into the Irish Coast Guard helicopter crash published earlier this month, identified “systemic safety issues”.
Minister Ryan said that his department is currently considering the recommendations from the investigation.
He said: “I fully accept the recommendations addressed to me contained within the report.”
Ryan also set out a range of improvements that had been made to governance and oversight since the crash.
“Given the size and complexity of the course my department will require some time to examine them in detail and consider its findings and recommendations.”
“The Department did not wait for the publication of the final report in order to implement on changes on foot of the lessons learned following the accident,” he told TDs.
He said that there has been a review of all training for members of the Coast Guard.
Minister Ryan also said that legislation will soon formalise the role of the Irish Aviation Authority in the oversight of search-and-rescue activities.
Multiple TDs last night urged Mr Ryan to ensure that all 42 safety recommendation are implemented in full.
The investigation found that the aircraft was manoeuvring at 200ft and nine nautical miles from the intended landing point, at night and in poor weather conditions, unaware that a 282ft obstacle was on the flight path.
There were “serious and important weaknesses” with the operator’s safety management systems (SMS) in relation to navigation and the reporting of safety issues, “such that certain risks that could have been mitigated were not”, its report said.
“Accepting these recommendations is not enough,” Sinn Fein’s transport spokesperson Darren O’Rourke said.
He called on the minister to set out a timeline for when the recommendations will be implemented.
O’Rourke also asked how the Government planned to ensure various agencies and bodies follow the recommendations in full.
“It is essential each of the recommendations are acted upon in with haste to ensure everything is done to try to prevent another tragedy,” he said.
He also suggested that the minister should appear before the Oireachtas Committee on Transport to provide updates at a future date.
Mayo TD and Sinn Fein representative Rose Conway-Walsh said that the tragedy had a special place in the hearts of her community.
“We must have accountability in the system.
“It is vital that lessons are learnt,” she told Ryan.
We need a timeline and we need continuous reviews and updates. We so much owe it so those who have lost their lives.” This must never happen again. And we will always ask why.
Various TDs called for proper accountability, while welcoming the answers provided in the report.
Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy warned the minister: “Without accountability, you don’t change behaviour.”
“There has to be accountability,” she said.
Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, the commander of the flight, was pulled from the sea in the hours after the crash and never regained consciousness, while the body of Captain Mark Duffy, the co-pilot, was taken from the cockpit 12 days later by Navy divers.
The bodies of winchmen Paul Ormsby and Ciaran Smith were never recovered despite weeks of intensive seabed, surface and shore searches.
Tributes were paid throughout the evening to the crew and TDs stood briefly in a moment of silence to commemorate the victims at the invitation of the Ceann Comhairle.
The investigation report found that concerns had been raised over the navigation system, the Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS), four years before the crash.
The report called on CHC Ireland, the company which provided the helicopters to the Irish Coast Guard, to review its guidance, operating and training procedures in respect of its EGPWS navigating system, and to ensure crews “are aware of the limitations”.
CHC Ireland has said it is committed to implementing the appropriate safety recommendations in the report.
There was also criticism and questioning of why Ireland has contracted out search and rescue services.
Fianna Fail’s Dara Calleary, a Mayo TD, said: “I wonder why, as an island nation, we are contracting out our search-and-rescue, service?”
“Minister, we cannot allow our search and rescue to become an issue of profit,” he said.
People Before Profit TD Brid Smith also told the minister that the next contract should not be awarded to CHC Ireland.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
It’s a no-brainer, but then again we are talking about Eamon Ryan.
The ****island wasn’t on the helicopter’s electronic chart. Because some cheapscate bought Russian military charts. And four people died.
Flying after dark in an unknown area. They should have had the best navigation data available.
RIP the four people. Heroes who saved the lives of others at the risk of their own.
@John Kinsella: Correct, the lack of appropriate navigation was raised with the Dept of Transport years before this tragedy. The minister in charge at the time I believe was Leo Varadkar. That said the civil service involved in this tragedy are as usual nameless and held harmless.Many of the recommendations are basic operational issues that should already have been place. There has to be transparent accountability. It’s not just the politicians that are responsible for the state of the country. This was a tragic loss of life, of those who dedicated their lives to saving others, may they rest in peace.
Pic is responsible for the safety of aircraft and people on board ,who the hell flies at 200 ft of deck on dark night , regardless of technology you should be aware of obstacles in areas you are flying .
The ****island wasn’t on the helicopter’s electronic chart. Because someone bought Russian military charts to save money..
And four people died.
@John Kinsella: the real question is why we privatised Search and Rescue instead of providing the Air Corps with suitable replace helicopters.
@Brendan Greene: Because the #IrishAirCorps is a rogue service with an incompetent and unaccountable Health & Safety regime. #93dead
@Brendan Greene: I agree. The Air Corps and Navy are being starved of resources. I wonder why.
Also, aviation law says that they should have a paper map of their area on board. That map (of all of Ireland) clearly shows The Lighthouse & the Rock that it sat on along with its height. But the last words recorded on the Cockpit Voice Recorder were from the engineer in the rear cabin/cargo area whose only view outside was through a side window. He shouted, “The Lighthouse” & then almost instantly the Chopper hit the Rock. It hit so close to the lighthouse that debris (parts of the Rotor blades) were found on the lighthouse gantry. So the question is, if the fella in the back saw the lighthouse, why didn’t the 2 pilots in the front with a massively better view through big bubble front windows, not see the Big Flashing White Lights of the Lighthouse?
To be continued……….
The Chopper left the east coast of Ireland, crossing the country at 4000ft. It’s initial destination was a refuelling depot in Blacksod Bay. The aircraft should have descended directly into the refuelling depot but they didn’t do that, instead they travelled 12 miles out to sea. For what reason? According to the Chopper company, this was standard practice. (I live beside a hospital & SAR choppers regularly fly in, descending directly from their cruising height!) They descended to 200ft, turned around & began travelling back to the refuelling depot @ 200ft. There was a pilot & copilot sitting at the front & both should have been looking out the big front & door windows.
To be continued…..
@James McErlain: Also, aviation law says that they should have a paper map of their area on board. That map (of all of Ireland) clearly shows The Lighthouse & the Rock that it sat on along with its height. But the last words recorded on the Cockpit Voice Recorder were from the engineer in the rear cabin/cargo area whose only view outside was through a side window. He shouted, “The Lighthouse” & then almost instantly the Chopper hit the Rock. It hit so close to the lighthouse that debris (parts of the Rotor blades) were found on the lighthouse gantry. So the question is, if the fella in the back saw the lighthouse, why didn’t the 2 pilots in the front with a massively better view through big bubble front windows, not see the Big Flashing White Lights of the Lighthouse?
To be continued…..
@James McErlain: There can only be one answer & that is, both pilots were Not looking out the front or side windows!
The next question is; what were they doing?
N. B.
Most of the information above came from the preliminary report.
P. S
The purpose of this flight was to fly out to a Russian Trawler to take an injured crew member to hospital. What was his injury? A broken thumb!
End.
have your say