An initial report into the death of a stunt pilot whose plane crashed during manoeuvres in Co Kerry was published today.
John Keane (57) of Clonlara, Co Clare, was doing his stunt from Ardfert airfield in Co Kerry on July 29th when it crashed into a wall.
The fully licensed and certified pilot had earlier finished an air stunts display for the Ardfert Festival on July 29th. Witnesses told investigators he agreed to do a few tricks in his 27-year-old homebuilt Steen Skybolt biplane as he was leaving for home.
An investigation found that undertaking the aerobatics manoevres would not be unusual for such an experienced pilot.
Fellow pilots gathered at around 4.30pm to see him fly upside down along the axis of the Ardfert runway before carrying out his signature move of a climbing roll into the sky.
Onlookers heard a bang or a splutter from the engine before the small aircraft went out of view behind a hangar in its final seconds before crashing into a wall in a nearby field.
Witnesses ran to the scene, but Mr Keane, the sole occupant of the plane, was dead when they arrived.