Popular Galway pilot killed in crash

Date Published: 13-May-2008

THE pilot killed in a light air craft crash in Co. Mayo at the weekend has been named as Galway archaeologist, Markus Casey of Dr Mannix Road, Salthill.

Mr Casey (51) was killed when his two-seater plane got into difficulties and crashed just minutes after taking off from Knock Airport on Sunday. His flying companion – who has not yet been named – was seriously injured in the smash and remained in a critical condition at Mayo General Hospital yesterday ( Monday).

A full investigation into the accident is currently being conducted by the Air Accident Investigation Unit to try to establish the circumstances of the fatal crash.

Early reports however indicate that Mr Casey had radioed Knock Airport to tell them that the Beech 77 light aircraft developed engine trouble shortly after take-off.

It appears Mr Casey had turned the plane around and was intending to return to the Mayo airstrip when the plane plummeted into a field in Kilmovee in East Mayo.

Emergency crews were on the scene in a matter of minutes, but Mr Casey was pronounced dead at the scene.

Well known to local aviation………………….