LAST UPDATE | 11 Dec 2022

AIR ACCIDENT INVESTIGATORS have finished “an initial survey of the accident site” at the scene of a crash involving a light helicopter in Co Kildare, but will return in the morning to examine the “wreckage” and conduct witness interviews.

The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) were dispatched after a helicopter crashed into a field near Kilcullen this evening.

“The AAIU has completed an initial survey of the accident site at Brannockstown, Co. Kildare, and will return in the morning to continue its activities, including an ongoing site survey, witness interviews, and recovery of the wreckage to the AAIU wreckage examination facility,” it said in a statement on social media this evening.

The AAIU has completed an initial survey of the accident site at Brannockstown, Co. Kildare, and will return in the morning to continue its activities, including an ongoing site survey, witness interviews, and recovery of the wreckage to the AAIU wreckage examination facility.

— AAIU IRELAND (@aaiu_ireland) December 11, 2022

Gardaí and emergency services, including three air accident investigators, were dispatched to the scene, where it is understood there has been heavy fog today.

The number of persons travelling on board the helicopter is not yet known.

It is understood that the helicopter involved is privately owned.

The Department of Transport, which has responsibility for air traffic issues, told The Journal that the investigators were on their way to attend the incident, following an “occurrence involving a light helicopter”, some 6km southeast of Kilcullen.

The Garda Press Office said gardaí and emergency services were at the scene.

“The light helicopter crashed in a field in the Kilcullen area. The scene is currently being held by Gardaí,” the spokesperson said, adding that the AAIU had been notified.

The AAIU earlier posted on social media that it had been notified of the crash.  

The AAIU has been notified of an occurrence involving a light helicopter approximately 6km south-east of Kilcullen, Co. Kildare. Three Inspectors of Air Accidents are deploying to the site to commence an investigation.

— AAIU IRELAND (@aaiu_ireland) December 11, 2022

A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said: “The AAIU has been notified of an occurrence involving a light helicopter approximately 6km south-east of Kilcullen, Co. Kildare.

“Three Inspectors of Air Accidents are deploying to the site to commence an investigation.”

Additional reporting by Niall O’Connor