Tag Archives: Rescue 116

The scenes At Blacksod Bay, county Mayo on the second day of a search for three missing members of the Irish Coast Guard whose helicopter crashed while on a rescue mission in March, 2017

This morning.

Via RTE News

The final report into the Rescue 116 tragedy is published today…

…via RTE News:

It said the helicopter operator, CHC Ireland, did not have a “formalised, standardised, controlled or periodic” system in place to review flight routes.

The investigation has identified correspondence regarding the absence of obstacles, including Blackrock Island, on helicopter warning systems, almost four years before the crash.

It found there was not adequate oversight of helicopter operations by the Department of Transport or the Irish Coast Guard.

The inquiry concludes that there was a lack of clarity as to the role the Irish Aviation Authority, regarding the regulation of search and rescue flights.

The Dublin-based R116 helicopter was flying to Blacksod in Co Mayo to refuel when the accident occurred.

Report here

‘Navigational issues’ a major factor in R116 helicopter crash (RTÉ)

RollingNews

 

The Dara Fitzpatrick Memorial Run medal

On Saturday, September 16, at 10am.

At Waterford Airport.

A 5km memorial run to honour the four Rescue 116 crew members who died in March – Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, Captain Mark Duffy, Winch Operator Paul Ormsby and Winchman Ciarán Smith – will be held.

Proceeds from the run will go to the children’s charity Touching Hearts and South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association.

The organisers write:

The Dara Fitzpatrick Memorial Run has released details of their run finisher’s medal. The medal depicts a Sikorsky S92 Helicopter flying over the sea on a rescue mission. In the background are the numbers “116”, together with four flying doves honouring the lost Rescue 116 crew members.

…Speaking about the medal one of the event’s organisers Captain Barry O’Connor said, “The doves are a touching tribute to our four colleagues who tragically lost their lives in the service of others on March 14th this year”

[Dara’s sister] Niamh Fitzpatrick said: “This medal is a beautiful memento of what will be an emotional run in memory of Dara. To have a design that captures the helicopter and the four crew members is very special; this is a medal that Dara would be proud of.”

Those wishing to take part can register here.

Entry is €20.

DFRUN