Call for safety probe after air crash
The mountainous landscape where a light aircraft crashed with the loss of three lives in south Down must be the subject of a safety probe, the Assembly heard today.
The plane came down in misty weather conditions in a field near the Co Down harbour town of Kilkeel just after 9pm on Friday. It is the second accident in the area in just over three weeks.
Kilkeel is nestled against the Mourne Mountains and SDLP MLA Margaret Ritchie has written to the Transport Minister (Paul Clark) in Westminster about the inquiry.
“It needs to look at the safety of light aircraft and in particular the special landscape and topographical features of this part of south Down,” she said.
“Not only is this a tragedy but it is a sign of a more worrying situation.”
There was another accident involving a light plane in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, in recent weeks.
Pilot Hugh McKnight, a 53-year-old former police officer, was returning from the TT motorbike races in the Isle of Man with passengers Stephen Annett and Andrew Burden, both 24, when they crashed into a field.
Investigators from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch at Farnborough, Hampshire, are now examining the circumstances of the latest tragedy.
It is thought the aircraft was coming in to land on a privately owned airstrip.
Ms Ritchie added: “I hope that the current investigation is speedy and effective and it makes recommendations that ensure that such incidents are eliminated in future but I think Mr Deputy Speaker it is important that this house shows solidarity shows solidarity, shows support, conveys sympathy with the bereaved who are suffering at this difficult time.”
Other local Assembly members including Jim Wells, Willie Clarke and John McCallister also expressed their regrets for the victims.
