The incident occurred shortly after 1pm today when a twin-engined light aircraft crashed as it attempted to make an emergency landing in a field south-west of Waterford Airport.
Unconfirmed reports indicated that the aircraft had declared an emergency in the minutes prior to the crash landing.
A major incident has been declared, with gardaí, paramedics, Coast Guard and Waterford Fire Brigade personnel deploying to the site.
It is understood the small aircraft crashed in a field at a farm in the townland of Lisselan. Around 20 to 30 members of the emergency services were at the scene at about 2pm. Weather conditions were described as good at the time.
The incident occurred in a field near the R685 road which was immediately closed by Gardaí to facilitate the work of the emergency services.
The Waterford-based Rescue 117 Sikorsky helicopter also deployed to the site in support. Emergency services raced to the scene of the incident on the Tramore to Dunmore road.
Multiple units deployed around the wreckage while others secured the scene. Major damage is understood to have been sustained by the front section of the aircraft.
It appears the aircraft went nose-first into the ground as it attempted to land. The tail-section of the aircraft was left standing upright after the plane came to a standstill just a short distance from a roadside ditch.
One theory is that the aircraft was trying to make an emergency landing but its nose gear sank into the sod, causing the plane to dig nose-first into the field.
It also appears that the pilot was attempting to reach the runway at Waterford Airport.
A major investigation into the accident is now expected to be launched by the Air Accident Investigation Branch at the Department of Transport.
The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) said it has been notified of an accident involving a twin-engine general aviation aircraft in the vicinity of Lesselan, Co Waterford. “The AAIU is deploying a team of four inspectors of air accidents to the accident site to commence an investigation.”
Gardaí said they were conducting a live and ongoing operation in response to the incident. “Gardaí and emergency services are currently at the scene of a collision involving a light aircraft at a location near Tramore, Co Waterford,” a spokesperson said.
“It occurred at approximately 12.50pm. As this is a live and ongoing operation no further information is available at this time.”
It is understood the aircraft was not on a commercial flight at the time.
According to aviation experts, the aircraft was tracked doing a U-turn over the sea south of Waterford and returning to the coast prior to the crash.
Rescue 117 departed at about 2.40pm but the scene remains cordoned off as at 3pm.
More to follow
