A flying instructor (78) who died when his glider crashed in Kilkenny should not have been flying as he had been declared medically unfit to do so, it has emerged.
A report into the crash in which businessman Martin Mulhall died on August 7th last year found he probably lost control of the glider after suffering a heart attack.
The findings were revealed in a final report published by the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) of the Department of Transport today.
It emerged in the report that Mr Mulhall continued to fly powered aircraft for four years after his State pilot's licence expired after he was declared medically unfit to fly. His death was the first fatality in the sport of gliding in the Republic.
Mr Mulhall, who was chief flying instructor of Kilkenny Flying and Gliding Club, was responsible for providing medical declarations of fitness for himself and for other club members who did not have current licences for powered aircraft.
However, there was no declaration on record from Mr Mulhall declaring his fitness to fly gliders.
Mr Mulhall's private pilot's licence, although not necessary for glider flight, had expired in April 2002 after an examination by an aeronautical medical examiner found him unfit to fly.
Mr Mulhall was referred to the air medical clinic at the Mater Private Hospital for heart tests. The head of the clinic advised him to consider having a cardiological evaluation in order for him to be declared fit to fly. The pilot never returned to the clinic.
Air accident investigators learned that Mr Mulhall later suffered an episode of atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) in May 2002. From 2002 onwards, the pilot was on medication for high blood pressure and a pre-existing kidney condition.
The investigators said they had to conclude that given Mr Mulhall's significant aviation experience and his "inexplicable" loss of control, he was most likely incapacitated during his preparation for landing.
There were some defects in the glider itself, but the investigators did not find anything that would have contributed to the crash. However, some repairs made to the glider had not been properly noted in its logbook.
Records from Kilkenny Flying Club show Mr Mulhall continued to fly powered aircraft after the expiry of his State licence in 2002, up to and including the day of the accident.
In its safety recommendations, the AAIU asked the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and the Irish Gliding and Soaring Association to "urgently review" the regulations to bring medical, reporting and maintenance requirements into line with modern aviation practice.
The IAA accepted the recommendations and said it would establish a glider pilot licensing working group "as soon as feasible".
Mr Mulhall, who had made an "upbeat" telephone call to his wife during his final flight, is survived by his wife and two sons.