DEN08WA088

On May 11, 2008, at 1547 UTC, a Beech BE-77, Ireland Registration EI-BHT, lost engine power on initial climb after takeoff and impacted terrain in a steep nose down attitude near Kilmovee, Ireland. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot on board the airplane was killed. The passenger on board sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight had just departed East Ireland Airport (EIKN) at Knock and was en route to Weston, Ireland.

Witnesses in the area described a "labouring engine which stopped, restarted for a couple of seconds and stopped again" a few seconds before hearing the sound of the airplane impacting the ground. Two witnesses in a car nearby saw the airplane's "wing drop" while attempting to return to EIKN. An examination of the engine showed a segment of the number two cylinder inlet valve separated and located in the number 4 cylinder.

This investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Irish government. Any further information may be obtained from:

Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU)

Department of Transport

44 Kildare Street

Dublin 2

Ireland

This report is for informational purposes only and contains only information released by, or obtained from, the AAIU of Ireland.