A preliminary report into a hang glider crash that killed a Clare man has revealed he travelled less than 100 metres before hitting the ground.
Michael Flynn passed away when the microlight aircraft he was piloting crashed off the Ballard Road in Miltown Malbay last month.
The Air Accident Investigation Unit’s preliminary investigation into the incident says Mr Flynn was operating alone, and went into the air at about 4pm from the agricultural field on the day in question.
He travelled a distance ‘less than 100 metres’ and then hit the ground, though no fire was detected, with Shannon Air Traffic Control reporting the incident to the AAIU about an hour later.
He was subsequently pronounced dead.
The AAIU’s initial report describes speaking to three witnesses in relation to the incident, including one who found Mr Flynn and alerted the emergency services.
Damage to the hang glider was noted on inspection, including one propeller blade that was broken into three pieces, while a second propeller sustained tip damage.
The investigation remains ongoing, with a final report to be published in due course.
The preliminary report can be read in full at this link.
