First picture of daring pilot who died after performing stunt aerobatics in new plane

Tragic pilot William Hillick at the controls of his plane

Investigation launched into why stunt pilot's aircraft smashed into the ground as he attempted to land at airfield



This is the daring pilot who was killed when his light aircraft crashed while he was performing aerobatic stunts.

William Hillick, 40, died instantly when his plane lost control and plunged to the ground while attempting to land on Sunday evening.

He was the pilot and sole occupant of the aircraft which crashed during an approach to Abbeyshrule Airfield, Co Longford.

Yesterday the wreckage of the plane was scattered in a field near the runway as air accident investigators began an investigation into the crash.

It is believed that Mr Hillick had only acquired his new aircraft last month and spent Sunday afternoon practicing aerial stunts and was returning to the airfield when tragedy struck.

Pilot William Hillick

Three officials from the Department of Transport’s Air Accident Investigation Unit were on the scene shortly after the accident which took place shortly before 6pm on Sunday.

A spokesman for the unit said following initial examinations, the body of the pilot was released to emergency services.

The investigation resumed today and witnesses were being interviewed and the wreckage examined.

The wrecked plane will be taken to the Unit’s headquarters at the former Air Corps base at Gormanston Co Meath.

A spokesman said: “Activities at the accident site will include recording of the wreckage and general area, interviews with eye-witnesses and recovery of wreckage and documentation to the AAIU wreckage and examination facility at Gormanston, Co Meath.

“The investigation continues and a final report will be issued in due course.”

Gardai are also investigating the accident while the garda helicopter was seen landing at the airfield today.

Abbeyshrule airfield, just off the N55 road from Athlone to Granard, is near the Royal Canal and is used by a number of light aircraft enthusiasts and companies.

Locals reported that planes had been in skies above the village for most of the day before the accident happened.

Last year two men miraculously escaped when their helicopter smashed into a pub less than a mile away in an attempted landing on the canal bank.

Dramatic video footage filmed by locals and on CCTV captured the moment the propeller of the Gazelle clipped the Rustic Inn and spun the tail into the timber frame.

Bar owner Edward McGoey said people were stunned another air accident had happened.

He said: “People are shocked and very sad.

“There is a big investigation going on and the air accident investigators are there now.”

(culled from www.irishmirror.ie)