The close-knit rural community of Abbeyshrule is still in shock after a man in his late 40s, who is well known in the Mullingar area, residing at Knockmant, The Downs, died when his single-seater plane crashed close to the local airport on Sunday evening last.
The tragic incident took place at approximately 5.30pm at Abbeyshrule Aerodrome, which is close to Abbeyshrule village and beside the Royal Canal, following an ‘acrobatic stunt show.’ Following the crash, emergency services attended the scene and the pilot of the aircraft was taken to hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
A post-mortem was carried out on Monday of this week.
The pilot was named as Mr William Hillick, who was in his 40s and well known in Mullingar and had only acquired the aircraft for his use in the last few weeks. He was the managing director of CQ Communications, Dublin. He moved to The Downs in the mid 1990s and he and his family are well known and popular in the area, having been involved in a number of organisations locally, including a martial arts club.
Gardaí carried out enquires locally as part of the ongoing investigation, while the Garda helicopter was being used to take aerial photographs of the crash site.
Residents of Abbeyshrule, located approximately seven miles from Ballynacargy and three miles from the Mullingar-Ballymahon road, said the single-person aircraft had been involved in mid-air manoeuvres throughout the afternoon, before it crashed near the airfield between 5.30pm and 5.45pm.
The late Mr. Hillick had been keenly interested in flying over the past number of years and was a member of Abbeyshrule Aero Club. He was an experienced pilot and keenly interested in aerobatics. It is believed that he had recently purchased the single-seat aircraft he was flying on Sunday last, one capable of being used in aerobatics.
Edward McGoey, owner of The Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule, said the local community was stunned at this terrible tragedy and people were still in a state of shock.
“People are shocked and very sad. There is a big investigation going on and the air accident investigators are present,” he said.
Local Fianna Fáil Councillor, Mick Cahill, said it was a very sad day for Abbeyshrule.
“It’s very tragic for the family involved and my sympathy goes out to them. It’s a sad day for Abbeyshrule also, because it’s a very well run airport and it’s a pity to see a tragedy like this happening,” he said.
Aircraft accident investigators from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport arrived at the scene following the crash and they continued their investigation into the incident on Monday. The investigation included an inspection of the wreckage and the general area around it. Eye-witnesses were also spoken to in Abbeyshrule.
The wreckage was taken for further inspection to Gormanston, Co Meath, where the department have a facility for carrying out inspections. Abbeyshrule is a rural community, but the airport is busy at the weekends. There are a number of privately owned aircraft at the airport and there is a maintenance facility there.
Sunday was described as a perfect day for flying, with clear skies and calm conditions.
The tragedy comes almost a year after a helicopter crashed in the village, before falling on its side on to the banks of the Royal Canal.
In July last year, the pilot of a Gazelle helicopter attempted to land the aircraft on a small strip of land between a pub and the Royal Canal in Abbeyshrule. The helipcopter clipped the side of the Rustic Inn but both men, who were on the aircraft, walked away with minor injuries and nobody else was hurt.
