AN EMERGENCY hatch that fell from an RAF helicopter over Salthill in Co Galway last year had been interfered with by a member of the public, an investigation has concluded.
The door fell about 45m (150ft) when the Merlin helicopter took off on June 24th, after it had been on show on the ground to members of the public during the Salthill Air Show.
"The investigation does not consider this event to be the result of a malicious act, but more a mindless act of curiosity on the part of an unknown spectator," the investigation concludes.
Chief inspector of air accidents Kevin Humphreys says two spectators, a man and a woman, received minor injuries when they were hit by the falling hatch. "There was potential for the injuries to be more serious," he adds.
"But even more importantly, had the hatch been ingested into the main rotors or struck the tail rotor, the safety of the helicopter, the persons on board and the spectators below could have been severely compromised," Mr Humphreys said.
Salthill Air Show is Ireland's premier display and attracts crowds of over 100,000. The investigation found the hatch's locking mechanism had been "interfered with by an unknown member of the viewing public" during the day.
"This unlocked condition remained undetected during the pre-flight inspection by the aircrew," said Mr Humphreys.
He expressed concern about the "degree of general access" to both the RAF helicopter and a British Royal Navy Sea King helicopter that had been parked alongside it.
He said regulatory documentation for flying displays provided no specific guidance about the safety of aircraft within a display park.
The report makes a number of safety recommendations about the organisation and control of displays which have been accepted by the Irish Aviation Authority.