Pictured: Coast Guard men still missing after their helicopter crashed off Ireland killing one crew member in the emergency services' 'darkest day'

  • Pilot Mark Duffy, winchmen Ciaran Smith and Paul Ormsby are all missing
  • They were on Sikorsky helicopter with Captain Fitzpatrick who has died
  • Crew could not issue distress call because disaster happened so suddenly
  • Four-strong crew had been en route to provide help for another helicopter

The search for three missing Coast Guard crew whose helicopter crashed into the sea off the coast of Mayo resumed this morning after being scaled back last night.

After what has been described as the 'darkest day' for Ireland's emergency services, families of the three missing crew are anxiously waiting on news of their loved ones.

The body of one crew member, Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, was recovered yesterday.

Mark Duffy
Ciaran Smith
Paul Ormsby

Missing: (From left) Pilot Mark Duffy, winchmen Ciaran Smith and Paul Ormsby were on board the Sikorsky helicopter involved in the mystery accident off the coast of Ireland yesterday

The body of one crew member, Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, was recovered yesterday. Such was the suddenness of the disaster, the crew didn’t even have time to issue a distress call

The body of one crew member, Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, was recovered yesterday. Such was the suddenness of the disaster, the crew didn't even have time to issue a distress call

Pilot Mark Duffy, winchmen Ciaran Smith and Paul Ormsby along with Captain Fitzpatrick, were on board the Sikorsky helicopter involved in the mystery accident.

Such was the suddenness of the disaster, the crew didn't even have time to issue a distress call.

The four-strong crew were en route to provide communications and safety support for another Coast Guard helicopter. 

After a 9.40pm Monday night request for help, the Coast Guard's Sikorsky S-92 R118 from Sligo had been dispatched to airlift a fisherman with what is believed to have been an injured thumb off a British-registered trawler about 240km west of Blacksod, Co. Mayo.

The Coast Guard had asked the Air Corps for what is known as 'top cover' support but as no aircraft was ready, the R116 was dispatched from Dublin.

But moments after what appears to have been an aborted attempt to land to refuel at Blacksod, after their trip from Dublin, about two hours later, the R116 vanished from radar and crashed into the sea off the coast of Mayo.

Salvaged parts from the helicopter are carried on to Blacksod Pier in Belmullet, County Mayo after the aircraft crashed with four people on board

Salvaged parts from the helicopter are carried on to Blacksod Pier in Belmullet, County Mayo after the aircraft crashed with four people on board

Fishermen take wreckage onto shore as the search continues for the Coast Guard helicopter

Fishermen take wreckage onto shore as the search continues for the Coast Guard helicopter

The helicopter went missing off the west coast of Ireland in the early hours of the morning

The helicopter went missing off the west coast of Ireland in the early hours of the morning

The R116 had flown past Blackrock Lighthouse before turning back around in an arching movement towards the refuelling area at Blacksod, telling Malin Head they needed fuel before going out to assist.

They said they were about to land 'shortly' when all communications suddenly ceased.

Malin Head-based co-ordinating staff frantically tried to contact R116 and when they couldn't, they issued a Mayday and a huge search and rescue operation was then launched.

Their fuel tank was later recovered with fuel in it, indicating they had not run out of fuel when they crashed.

The first helicopter to get to the scene was the Sligo-based R118 and its crew described seeing wreckage on the surface of the water about 2km south east of Blackrock Lighthouse, about 10km from Blacksod.

Coast Guard members searching for the missing helicopter are seen at Blacksod Lighthouse

Coast Guard members searching for the missing helicopter are seen at Blacksod Lighthouse

Shortly after Captain Fitzpatrick's body was recovered yesterday, regional director of CHC – which operates the helicopters – Mark Abbey said: 'We are devastated by this tragic accident. 

'Our thoughts are with Dara's family and friends, as well as those of the three crew who are still missing. The extensive search and rescue mission is ongoing.' 

Jurgen Whyte, chief aeronautical of Air Accidents Investigations unit, said his investigators will now be trying to find out what happened. He said: 'We need to recover the flight recorders.'

Helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky has offered to send officials from the US to help with the ongoing investigation into yesterday's disaster.

Families of the missing crew said they were 'numb' and in a 'twilight zone' of disbelief. They said they were not mourning and retained hope of finding their loved ones alive. 

 

Captain Dara, a proud and tough pilot who lived her dream 

The first victim of the helicopter crash tragedy was confirmed yesterday as pilot Dara Fitzpatrick.

Captain Fitzpatrick, 45, was recovered from the sea at daybreak yesterday, hours after Rescue 116 first disappeared.

She was rushed to Mayo University Hospital in a critical condition, where she was later pronounced dead.

Captain Dara Fitzpatrick was one of few civilian women pilots in the world, and featured in the RTÉ series Rescue 117, where cameras followed her and her crew as they fought to save lives

Captain Dara Fitzpatrick was one of few civilian women pilots in the world, and featured in the RTÉ series Rescue 117, where cameras followed her and her crew as they fought to save lives

The search continues for three crew members after the Dublin-based Sikorsky S92 vanished during an early morning rescue operation off the west of Ireland yesterday

The search continues for three crew members after the Dublin-based Sikorsky S92 vanished during an early morning rescue operation off the west of Ireland yesterday

Captain Fitzpatrick, from Kiltiernan, Dublin, was a mother of one, and her family led the tributes to her last night. 

Missing winchman helped rescue 17 from a burning ship

PAUL ORMSBY: Previous heroics

PAUL ORMSBY: Previous heroics

Missing winchman Paul Ormsby was part of a team that rescued 17 Spanish and Portuguese crew from a Spanish flagship off the west coast of Shannon in January 2000.

The crew members of the Milford Eagle, a British-registered Spanish craft, were forced to abandon ship when a fire broke out on board, some 240km west of Shannon. 

All 17 were airlifted to shore by two crews from the Irish Coast Guard.

The rescue was completed under the command of pilot Gordon Baird, with co-pilot Hayden Lewis and winch operator Steve Dodd. 

The search for Mr Ormsby and fellow Coast Guard members Mark Duffy and Ciaran Smith were continuing last night following the crash of R116 which resulted in the death of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick.

Back in 2014, Mr Ormsby was pictured alongside Ms Fitzpatrick and the then Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar at the launch of a new aircraft.

The crew members were joined by Captain Ed Sullivan and winchman Dermot Molloy at Weston Airport for the launch of the new Coast Guard Sikorsky S92 helicopter for the east coast region.

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An emotional statement given to Today FM said: 'We are so proud of Dara's work and all she has done to save the lives of others over the years.

'We are completely heartbroken and pray for the recovery of the other three crew.

'She is survived by her three-year-old son, her three sisters, brother and her parents.'

Her sister, Olympic psychologist Niamh Fitzpatrick, also took to Twitter to praise her lost sister and pray for her missing crewmates. She wrote: 'My brave sister Captain Dara Fitzpatrick lost her life in #Rescue 116 crash. We are devastated. Please pray for the recovery of three missing crew.'

Councillor Jim Griffin, who flew rescue missions with Captain Fitzpatrick during her years in Waterford as part of Rescue 117, said the entire community was stunned by the tragedy. He said: 'She was a real down-to-earth lady with her arms open to everyone, that's how I'll remember her. I knew Dara a long number of years, she flew with Rescue 117 for years before returning to Dublin to join Rescue 116.

'She was the first female Coast Guard pilot and I worked with her on several missions.'

He added: 'She was tough, she was assertive, she ran a great base as base captain and she was very, very polite, she was so well mannered.

'She welcomed so many people from different backgrounds into the base, schoolchildren, disabled groups, political people when 117 was under threat of being closed, everyone was welcome to come in and see the base and the chopper. 

'She loved the craic and socialising, I socialised with her many times, and she loved hiking, she completed a seven-peaks challenge with the crew, they went to Wales, Scotland and Carrauntoohil.

A piece of debris with the word 'coastguard' written on it is towed in as the search continues

A piece of debris with the word 'coastguard' written on it is towed in as the search continues

A member of the Garda water unit is seen in Blacksod, Co Mayo, during the search yesterday

A member of the Garda water unit is seen in Blacksod, Co Mayo, during the search yesterday

A piece of debris with the word 'coastguard' on it is towed in across the water yesterday

A piece of debris with the word 'coastguard' on it is towed in across the water yesterday

'We knew about her death from early in the morning and my phone hasn't stopped all day with messages from people who just can't believe she's gone.'

Captain Fitzpatrick made history when she flew the first all-female mission for the Coast Guard in 2014, bringing a critically ill five-year-old from Cork University Hospital to Dublin's Temple Street.

Father of three a true gent with a passion for charity 

CIARAN SMITH: An 'absolute gent'

CIARAN SMITH: An 'absolute gent'

Neighbours and friends of missing crew member Ciaran Smith are in 'disarray' as the search to find the Coast Guard hero described as an 'absolute gent' continued last night.

The 39-year-old from Swords, Co. Dublin, was last night one of three Coast Guard rescue workers still lost at sea since the early hours of yesterday after the horrific R116 helicopter disaster.

The father of three, who served as a winchman, lived in Oldtown in Dublin, 20 minutes from the Coast Guard airport base, for more than a decade.

Mr Smith, a keen cyclist, has raised thousands of euro for charities over the years by participating in various events.

In 2013, he took part in the augural Race Around Ireland 1,100, raising funds for the SOS (Suicide Or Survive) charity. 

A year later he participated again, in aid of LauraLynn Children's Hospice. 'He is a great guy, 100% dedicated to his family,' local councillor David O'Connor said last night.

'We are in complete disarray here,' he said. 'Ciaran is a lovely, lovely man. He is an absolute gent, someone who put his life on the line on a daily basis. We are all just devastated.'

Mr O'Connor, from Ballyboughal, said locals' thoughts were with Mr Smith's wife Martina and their three young daughters.

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And just last Wednesday many around Ireland tweeted her photo in honour of International Women's Day.

A pilot with more than 20 years of experience, she had initially planned a career in business, but after her first trip in a helicopter was 'hooked'.

She told the Munster Express in 2009: 'If someone had told me when I was quite young that I'd be doing this for a living, I'd have thought they were nuts. 

'I first went up in a helicopter when I was about 18 and was immediately sold on it – I thought it was the business. And that, pretty much, was it. 

'I got my own licence and I was working for a businessman for a year, year and a half when the Coast Guard advertised for co-pilots. 

'That was at a time when Shannon was the only Coast Guard helicopter base was in the country so I applied for it and got it.'

Captain Fitzpatrick was one of few civilian women pilots in the world, and featured in the RTÉ documentary series Rescue 117, where cameras followed her and her crew as they fought to save lives.

She was a popular figure in her adopted hometown of Waterford, but friends said she eventually moved back to Dublin because she wanted to raise a family.

The brave pilot spoke out about the challenges she faced in her job every day.

Speaking in a video entitled Find A Balance Dare To Dream, filmed in 2008 by the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference, she said: 'You probably don't think so much about the casualties, because you can't. 

'You can't afford to... When that flight is over, you've got to turn the page and move on. And you can't really think about it too much.' 

Today, Captain Fitzpatrick's sister, Niamh Fitzpatrick, said her family is heartbroken but added 'we have no regrets where Dara is concerned'.

'She lived her life to the full and did what she wanted to... she has a beautiful son,' she told RTE radio. 'They say it takes a village to raise a child and he has a village around him now who will raise him on her behalf.'

The Commissioner of Irish Lights ship, the Granuaile, is en route to the scene to join the flotilla of vessels involved in the operation, which has also been joined by a second Naval Service patrol ship, the LE Eithne. 

Heroic father thrilled students at old school by landing on grounds

MARK DUFFY: In his late 40s and a father

MARK DUFFY: In his late 40s and a father

Missing pilot Mark Duffy was yesterday hailed for his dedication.

As the search off the coast of Mayo for Mr Duffy, who is in his late 40s and is a father of two from Blackrock, Dundalk, Co. Louth, and two of his Coast Guard colleagues was to continue this morning, the community of Blackrock was in shock as they awaited news of the popular family man.

Friends and neighbours rallied around Mr Duffy's wife Hermione and their two children – Esme, who is in sixth class, and Fionn, who is in second year.

Parish priest of Blackrock-Haggardstown, Fr Padraig Keenan, said: 'The parish is in shock and our thoughts and prayers are with the family. The local community are supporting the family in any way we can. We trust in the safe rescue of the three people lost at sea.'

Curate Fr Brian White was with the Duffy family while the major sea search was ongoing, after the Coast Guard helicopter with four crew on board lost contact around 1am yesterday.

Mr Duffy joined the Coast Guard Service in 2001. He trained in the United States where he worked with the Californian Coast Guard for seven years. 

Mr Duffy and his Irish Coast Guard colleague Garrett Collins – who are both former pupils of St Mary's College in Dundalk – flew the Irish Coast Guard helicopter to the secondary school in 2008. 

The school came to a standstill as the helicopter landed in the playing fields to the delight of waiting students.

The duo had been invited to talk to the school's Transition Year students.

Gerry Lambe, deputy principal at St Mary's, told the Mail: 'Mark was an excellent student while attending the Marist College here in Dundalk. He had a great application to his work, always treated staff with the highest respect and was extremely popular with fellow students.

'It comes as no surprise his career involved helping others as he was a great fundraiser for charities whilst in the college.'

'Mark comes from a very fine, respectable business family and our thoughts and prayers are with them.'

Meanwhile, businessman Declan Ganley revealed last night that Mr Duffy used to work for him as a pilot.

He tweeted: 'Pilot Mark Duffy is one of the missing crew. We have been praying for him and all the crew. Mark is a friend.

'Mark was my full-time helicopter pilot for a couple of years before he went on to the Irish Coast Guard. A brilliant pilot, an absolute pro. I was so proud when Mark told me he wanted to leave flying for me to go to the #IrishCoastGuard. A hero to all of us.'

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'We will search as long as we can': Devastated locals help search for the missing 

'It dropped like a stone,' one of the Coast Guard members at Blacksod Bay said of the missing Rescue 116 helicopter that crashed yesterday.

He, like the rest of the team along the Mayo coastline, was stunned and in a state of disbelief at the tragic events that unfolded earlier that morning.

Lifeboats from neighbouring villages Achill and Ballyglass, Coast Guard ships and naval vessels Lé Róisín and Lé Eithne were assisted in the search and rescue mission by trawlermen from the fishing village of Blacksod.

Debris is dragged ashore as the search continues for the Irish Coast Guard helicopter

Debris is dragged ashore as the search continues for the Irish Coast Guard helicopter

Family members are escorted by An Garda at the scene in Co Mayo after yesterday's tragedy

Family members are escorted by An Garda at the scene in Co Mayo after yesterday's tragedy

A piece of debris with the word 'coastguard' written on it is towed in as the search continues

A piece of debris with the word 'coastguard' written on it is towed in as the search continues

From the early hours of yesterday until long after the sun had set, the men volunteered their time and resources, putting forth every effort to help bring the four passengers of the missing Rescue 116 helicopter to shore.

Final words of the pilot

Recordings of Rescue 116's pilot Mark Duffy's words, as he took off from Dublin Airport, reveal him sounding calm and telling air traffic control: 'Just to confirm the departure of R116. We are quite heavy with fuel.'

He repeated that they were 'heavy with fuel' a few more times and said they would be travelling at about 3,000 feet.

There is nothing unusual with an aircraft being heavy with fuel on such a long flight. It could indicate a plan to go straight to the scene. 

Later, en route to the scene yesterday morning, Mr Duffy asked ATC to contact Rescue 118. When there was no reply from Rescue 118, a controller asked a passing Lufthansa cargo flight to relay a message.

The Lufthansa crew was asked to try to contact Rescue 118 and ascertain their position and their estimated time of arrival at the fishing vessel they were going to meet. Despite several attempts to contact Rescue 118, there was no reply.

This message was relayed to the crew of Rescue 116. At the time, Rescue 116 was travelling to the search area to assist Rescue 118 by providing communications and safety top cover.

Shortly after 12.30am, Rescue 116 contacted air traffic controllers to confirm they were descending from 4,000ft and heading to Blacksod to refuel.

R116: 'Shannon, Rescue 116.'

ATC: 'Rescue 116 Shannon, go.'

R116: 'Passing 4,000ft and making our way into Blacksod for refuelling, Rescue 116.'

ATC: 'Okay, that's copied. You can report airborne again.'

There was no further communication between them.

Shortly after 1am, air traffic control called Rescue 116 three times but received no response.

Controllers made several further attempts to reach the helicopter. Controllers also asked the crew of Rescue 118 whether they had any communications with Rescue 116 but the crew confirmed they had not.

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Throughout the day, boats came in and out of the Blacksod pier, bringing with them scraps of debris from the doomed aircraft.

The largest of which was a helicopter door still intact.

Fewer than 500 people populate the town of Blacksod, one of whom is Hannah Quigley, who runs the local B&B.

Like many, Ms Quigley woke up to the news yesterday that a Coast Guard helicopter had disappeared at around 1am. The B&B she owns with her husband overlooks the helicopter pad where the Rescue 116 chopper was due to refuel before it went off the radar.

For the majority of the day she was busy preparing rooms for the crew that had been working tirelessly through the night to try to recover the crashed helicopter and its four passengers.

Mary Rabbitte, who owns the pub next door, chipped in to help her neighbour to prepare beds for the impending guests.

Agatha Hurst from the Ballyglass lifeboat rescue team also stopped by to lend a hand. She was one of the first people to get word that a helicopter had gone missing in the early hours. Members of her team immediately descended on the scene across four lifeboats.

'My pager went off this morning at around 1.10 and I was half asleep. It's awful to hear, a nightmare,' she said.

On the wearying search that continued yesterday, she said: 'They've rotated. Some of the lads had been out since one o'clock in the morning. They changed at around 10am and we've had a rotation.

'I met a fisherman, he couldn't get his boat out but he'd gone out on a shore search. We'll keep searching as long as we can.'

Captain Dara Fitzpatrick was the first Rescue 116 crew member recovered yesterday morning. The senior pilot – who had more than 20 years' experience – was in a critical condition when found and was pronounced dead by yesterday afternoon. In a clip from an RTÉ documentary, Captain Fitz- patrick spoke about her vocation to the service, saying: 'There's no way in the world we would do anything else with our life.'

The mother of one joined the service when she was just 18.

The rest of her team were still missing last night after an arduous day of searching.

But through the shock and sadness, the residents of Ballysod rallied together valiantly – many bringing sandwiches, crisps and other refreshments to workers on the pier in the evening time.

Gardai approach the Ballyglass lifeboat changing crew to continue the search for the aircraft

Gardai approach the Ballyglass lifeboat changing crew to continue the search for the aircraft

An Irish Coast Guard helicopter returns to Blacksod, Co Mayo, for refuelling yesterday

An Irish Coast Guard helicopter returns to Blacksod, Co Mayo, for refuelling yesterday

Hopes are fading for finding the three missing crew members, according to the Coast Guard

Hopes are fading for finding the three missing crew members, according to the Coast Guard

In the heritage centre down the road, a soup and sandwich station was set up to allow the tired search parties out at sea to eat when they came ashore. 

The heartbreak among the community was palpable but each person did what they could to contribute to finding the rescuers who would normally be taking on such a despairing task.

Ms Quigley's eyes filled with tears when discussing the day's events. 'I found out when I turned on my laptop this morning... It was a total shock, right here on our doorstep.'

Summing up the sombre mood that could be felt throughout the west Mayo region, she said: 'It has just been all doom and gloom here. Even the birds didn't sing this morning. It's been so quiet. 

A sea search is ongoing six miles west of Blacksod as the three crew members remain missing

A sea search is ongoing six miles west of Blacksod as the three crew members remain missing

Captain Fitzpatrick was located and plucked from the water at around 7am yesterday

Captain Fitzpatrick was located and plucked from the water at around 7am yesterday

The crew member found in the water yesterday had been fighting for her life but later died

The crew member found in the water yesterday had been fighting for her life but later died

'There's been helicopters, all of the fishermen have gone out.

'Everybody is just trying to see how they can help. They're the people that are normally out doing the saving. Now the shoe is on the other foot. It's terrible for their colleagues, it's so sad.

'It's always terrible and very sad but when it's the guys that do the rescuing that are in need of help, it's particularly heartbreaking.

'Today the rescuers are the ones that need rescuing.'

Ms Quigley described Ballysod as 'a genuine fishing village'.

Members of the Garda Water unit prepare to join the search for an Irish Coast Guard helicopter

Members of the Garda Water unit prepare to join the search for an Irish Coast Guard helicopter

A Coast Guard helicopter returns to Blacksod, Co Mayo, for refuelling during the search

A Coast Guard helicopter returns to Blacksod, Co Mayo, for refuelling during the search

'Our fishermen catch lobster and crab here off Blacksod Bay. It's a lovely little town.'

Local GP and senator Dr Keith Swanick visited the scene at the pier yesterday evening. 'We live in a very isolated spot here in northwest Mayo,' he said.

He said the tragedy wasn't far from anyone's mind: 'I would have seen a lot of patients today and the first topic of conversation was about the tragic loss of life of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick.'

Last night, the search for the three other heroes of R116 continued as the shocked locals of Ballysod gave their blood, sweat and tears to the task ahead.

R116 helicopter rescued father and son two days before crash

R116 helped to rescue a father and son from a helicopter crash near Carlingford, Co. Louth, less than two days before it crashed off the coast of Mayo.

A crew aboard the same helicopter were one of the first teams on the scene after businessman Donal 'Donie' Marron and his son Dustin crashed in the Cooley Mountains.

The 71-year-old property developer suffered serious head injuries when the helicopter they were in crash-landed into the back garden of a holiday home on Sunday.

Scene: R116 helps to rescue a father and son from a crash near Carlingford on Sunday

Scene: R116 helps to rescue a father and son from a crash near Carlingford on Sunday

It is across from the landing strip they had been attempting to land on, at a house – believed to be Mr Marron's – a few hundred yards away. 

Donie Marron was airlifted by the crew of R116 to Dublin's Beaumont Hospital after the crash and is expected to recover from his injuries.

Dustin did not suffer life-threatening injuries. Donie's brother Kevin was killed in the so-called Beaujolais disaster over Eastbourne in England in November 1984.

Based out of Dublin Airport, R116 completed 148 missions in 2015.

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Disaster is another horrifying blow for our heroic rescuers 

Yesterday's helicopter disaster was the second tragedy to hit the Irish Coast Guard in less than six months.

Last September Caitríona Lucas became the first volunteer member of the service to lose her life on duty when she was killed during a search mission.

The mother-of-two was a librarian with Clare County Council and, alongside her husband, Bernard, was an active member of Doolin Coast Guard since 2006.

Dedicated: Caitríona Lucas rescuing a dog in 2002. Last year she became the first volunteer member of the service to lose her life on duty when she was killed during a search mission

Dedicated: Caitríona Lucas rescuing a dog in 2002. Last year she became the first volunteer member of the service to lose her life on duty when she was killed during a search mission

The 41-year-old, from Liscannor, Co. Clare, and her husband were two of the first people to volunteer when the call went out to take part in the search for school inspector David McMahon, who went missing last September.

Rigorous training for pilots 

Coast Guard pilots must complete rigorous training before flying in rescue operations.

Captain Dara Fitzpatrick had over 20 years' flying experience and had been chief pilot in Waterford since 2002.

Pilots must do a certain number of flying hours before being considered for being involved in rescue operations (file picture)

Pilots must do a certain number of flying hours before being considered for being involved in rescue operations (file picture)

Mark McDermott, a colleague of Ms Fitzpatrick, said pilots must do a certain number of flying hours before being considered for the job. 

'We only recruit pilots with reasonably significant previous flying experience, measured in flight hours.

'Pilots who come here have to do a conversion course followed by a search-and-rescue course,' he told TheJournal.ie last year.

'Then they need a minimum of three years as a co-pilot before you can take a command course. You're talking eight to ten years' experience before coming here and then another five before a possible command upgrade.'

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Mattie Shannon, the officer in charge of the Doolin unit at the time, said Caitríona was the first person to volunteer online, and said: 'She was there to be picked up at 9.30 on Monday morning.'

Ms Lucas, the mother to Ben, 20, and Emma, 18, died after her rescue boat capsized, throwing the three people on board into the sea off Kilkee on September 12.

The team were travelling in a rigid inflatable boat which was caught by a wave near the area's Pollock Holes.

Crewmate Jenny Caraway, 51, was plucked from the sea with minor injuries and James Lucas, 49, was rescued from a cliff cave by an abseil team, but Ms Lucas lost her life. Mr Shannon said they were lucky her husband wasn't also in the boat.

Mr Shannon told the Irish Times: 'They enjoyed their time with the unit and worked well together and always travelled together. He could very well have been on the boat. Anywhere you saw one, the other was there. There was no end to their ability or energy.'

Thousands attended her funeral in St Brigid's church in Liscannor, where her son Ben gave an emotional tribute to his 'inspirational' mother. He said: 'Goodbye to our wonderful mother. Love always. You are my hero.' And he urged the crowd of assembled mourners to seize the day, telling them: 'Life is short and time is very precious.'

Ms Lucas's coffin was draped in the Tricolour and the national flag was flown at half mast in honour of her sacrifice.

The 41-year-old was highly experienced in sea and cliff rescue and was qualified in first aid, emergency response, navigation, coxswain and climbing. Three investigations were launched her death, which was officially deemed a workplace accident.

 

Time of 'great grief and uncertainty', says President

President Michael D Higgins voiced his own distress after learning of the Rescue 116 tragedy yesterday, and praised the victims' fellow rescuers who continued to search for them at 'a time of great grief and uncertainty'.

He said the Irish people were grateful for the courage, resolution and exemplary commitment of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick and her colleagues.

He acknowledged the efforts of the Coast Guard and commended the other emergency services and local people who 'responded so valiantly, and in great solidarity' to the helicopter crash of the Co. Mayo coast.

Grief: President Michael D Higgins praised the victims’ fellow rescuers who continued to search for them at ‘a time of great grief and uncertainty’

Grief: President Michael D Higgins praised the victims' fellow rescuers who continued to search for them at 'a time of great grief and uncertainty'

Taoiseach Enda Kenny paid his respects from the United States where he is on his annual St Patrick's Day visit. 

Chopper was giving 'top cover' on rescue mission 

When Coast Guard helicopters operate far from shore, they usually do so with the help of another aircraft providing what is known as 'top cover' – to keep communications with the base open.

This is because, when working so far from land, there is too great a risk of communications dropping between the aircraft involved in the rescue and the personnel back at the rescue co-ordination centre.

In such situations, the aircraft providing the cover flies over the one directly involved in a rescue mission and relays messages back to base.

It also serves as a safety cover in case the rescue aircraft has to ditch into the water and its own crew need rescuing or other support.

Until quite recently, top cover used to be provided by the Royal Air Force but that role was then passed to the Air Corps, which operates two CASA CN-235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft. Although they are normally used for off-shore maritime patrol duties, they routinely provide top cover.

On the Defence Forces website last night, one of their roles was listed as 'search and rescue top cover'.

Other Irish Coast Guard helicopters are used, as happened on Monday night.

Back in 2011, when the Casas were undergoing maintenance, the government Learjet was deployed in a top cover role for the first time.

At the time, it was sent to assist the Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter in a medical evacuation mission off the Co. Clare coast.

A crew member on a 40-year-old Dutch ship took ill about 135 nautical miles west of Loop Head in Co. Clare with suspected appendicitis.

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He offered the deepest sympathy of the Government and added: 'The Coast Guard has been exceptionally professional and competent in their work over many years. Last year alone over 2,500 incidents were directed by the Irish Coast Guard.'

Mr Kenny said he knew well 'the area off the coast of Blacksod' where the Sikorsky helicopter was lost well. And he added that he had spoken to the Transport Minister Shane Ross, and offered his condolences to Defence Forces Chief of Staff Mark Mellett.

The Taoiseach said: 'Clearly, in the analysis and investigation into this we want to uncover what exactly happened in respect of the lack of communications and loss of contact with Rescue Helicopter 116.

'Today marks a dark day in the history of the Coast Guard/Garda Cósta na hÉireann, with a member of this important service losing her life while providing assistance to others.'

Speaking outside Government Buildings yesterday, Transport Minister Shane Ross and Health Minister Simon Harris said they had spoken to the Taoiseach about the tragedy. 

Mr Ross said: 'Luckily, there are rare individuals among us who dedicate their lives to the service of others, some even do so at enormous risk to their very lives.

'Today is one of the darkest days suffered by our brave and committed emergency services. The news this morning that contact was lost with one of our Coast Guard helicopters, carrying four crew, is shocking.'

Mr Harris said that it was 'striking that on such a bright spring day such dark could hangs over Ireland'.

The Health Minister added: 'The crew of Rescue 116 represent all that is good about our country, they epitomise courage, bravery, selflessness and dedication to the care and welfare of others.

'These traits were all on display again overnight off the west coast of Ireland.

'This crew had joined with their colleagues, in an effort to help fishing vessel crewman to get access to urgent medical care.'

 

The helicopter that has been dogged by controversy over gearbox oil leaks

BY GERRY BYRNE 

The first time I flew as a passenger in a helicopter brought home to me how my life depended on the single vertical spinning metal bar above my head which drove the machine's rotor blades. Were that bar to fail the entire machine would fall from the sky without the luxury of wings to at least attempt a forced landing.

Helicopters can do wonderful things no other type of aircraft can manage but when something goes wrong, it can easily end in disaster.

Running out of fuel, pilot error, and mechanical failure are the three main causes of helicopter disasters and the latter is one most feared by helicopter pilots because there is often no hope of escape.

The Sikorsky S92 is one of the best helicopters that can be used in search and rescue operations and had a 'very good safety record', it has been claimed (file picture)

The Sikorsky S92 is one of the best helicopters that can be used in search and rescue operations and had a 'very good safety record', it has been claimed (file picture)

An Irish Coast Guard helicopter returns to Blacksod, Co Mayo, during the search yesterday

An Irish Coast Guard helicopter returns to Blacksod, Co Mayo, during the search yesterday

Debris was found on the surface of the water yesterday, south east of Blacksod Lighthouse

Debris was found on the surface of the water yesterday, south east of Blacksod Lighthouse

It is hard to believe that pilot error might have caused yesterday's crash of a Coast Guard helicopter into the sea off Co. Mayo. These are among the most skilled and experienced of all helicopter pilots and practise and rehearse their procedures almost on a daily basis. Safety is their gospel.

A stark reminder of Coast Guard heroism

We are all familiar with the selfless work carried out by the Coast Guard. We know its members are there round the clock and in all weathers, assisting those who find themselves in peril.

We know that the work carried out by those who dedicate their lives to Coast Guard service is dangerous. In our own comfortable lives we simply take that as a given. But we don't really think about that extraordinary risk. Not really.

Until tragedy strikes. And then the dedication and sacrifice of these individuals is brought into extremely sharp focus. For all of us.

Last September it was Coast Guard volunteer Caitríona Lucas who lost her life in a rescue mission off the coast of Clare. Now it is Captain Dara Fitzpatrick and three of her colleagues who have tragically perished.

The shock and sadness among their families and within their local communities must seem today like a grief that is too hard to bear.

How can they be gone, these four courageous souls who went out into the dark, into the wind and the rain on Monday night, to assist others by simply doing their job?

It is imperative, in the days and weeks ahead, therefore, that we establish the reason for this tragedy. We need to know precisely what happened, and why, to helicopter R116. For the loved ones of those who have been lost, such answers are fundamental.

And as we strive to get to the bottom of this tragedy, we must, as a nation, fully recognise and acknowledge the gallantry and heroism of those who risk their own lives so that others might be saved.

And we must vow that we will never take such courage and altruism for granted again.

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Similarly it is hard to believe they might carelessly allow their aircraft to run out of fuel. And if fuel was about to run out the crew would have been trained to ditch on the sea in a controlled landing and attempt an escape into the water. They would also probably have had the time to snap off a quick Mayday to summon help.

The lack of a Mayday distress call suggests something sudden and catastrophic occurred aboard R116 in the air off the coast of Mayo early yesterday.

Mechanical failure of a key component is a strong likelihood.

If one engine aboard an airliner should fail, it can safely get home on the remaining one.

But the failure of a key helicopter component like the rotor and rotor shaft, the main gearbox or the tail rotor components can be terminal. Helicopters are unique in having so much stress placed on single components.

Airliners tend to have two of everything so that if one critical system fails, another can take over. Helicopters like the Sikorsky that crashed yesterday are different.

All of the power from its two large engines is directed to the main rotor through just one gearbox and one rotor drive shaft. When a key component on an airliner fails it can often continue to fly safely: there is no such safety valve in a helicopter.

Giving the amount of power passing through them and the enormous stresses placed on them, gearbox failures are not unusual in large helicopters and Sikorsky's experience has been no exception.

It was launched in 1998 and proved to be a very safe machine until a gearbox problem forced the emergency landing of an Australian S-92 in 2008. The gearbox was damaged after all the lubricant oil leaked away but everybody on board survived unhurt. Then 17 died in a 2009 crash when a S-92 plunged into the sea en route to a Newfoundland oil platform. A gearbox problem was also blamed.

Some S-92 helicopters operating in the North Sea were later found to have cracked gearbox mounts but Sikorsky said it was not a critical issue as the aircraft could safely fly with three out of four mounts intact.

The Garda Water unit are involved in the search for the Irish Coast Guard helicopter today

The Garda Water unit are involved in the search for the Irish Coast Guard helicopter today

The Coast Guard chief said contact was last heard from the missing aircraft at about 12.45am

The Coast Guard chief said contact was last heard from the missing aircraft at about 12.45am

An Irish naval vessel and other boats join the search for the Irish Coast Guard helicopter

An Irish naval vessel and other boats join the search for the Irish Coast Guard helicopter

The naval ship is searching for the helicopter which went missing off the west coast of Ireland

The naval ship is searching for the helicopter which went missing off the west coast of Ireland

Then, in January, an official UK air-safety report revealed how a worn tail rotor bearing almost caused a serious accident on an S-92 landing on a North Sea oil rig.

All 200 S-92s, including the aircraft which tragically crashed yesterday morning, were grounded until their operators made an emergency inspection of the bearing in question.

Sonar used to find the missing crew members

The search operation is using sonar equipment to try to locate the missing crew members while air and shore searches are ongoing.

A hydrophone is also being employed to try pick up the radio frequency of the black box recorder.

The black box transmits a signal underwater for 30 days.

Declan Geoghegan, of the Irish Coast Guard, said he was confident the main bulk of the missing helicopter will be located.

'The main frame, the engine and gearbox is still in the water. We should be able to find it, it is in just 40 metres of water,' he said.

'With the luck of God, they might be trapped in it.' 

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But the leaking gearbox oil issue continues to cause controversy. Safety advocates question why the US Federal Aviation Administration allows the helicopter to operate without proving that it can fly safely for a limited time without transmission lubricant.

When it first approved the US-built helicopter, the FAA said that such a loss of oil was so unlikely as to be safely discounted. They have been proved wrong yet the FAA has still to instruct Sikorsky to improve the gearbox and its oil system.

Meanwhile the Irish Air Accident Investigation Unit will continue its search for the missing aircraft's black boxes: the flight data recorder, and the cockpit voice recorder.

But the flight data recorder may only say what the aircraft was doing when it crashed, not necessarily why it crashed.

Crash investigators will also need to recover as much wreckage as possible from the seabed which they will painstakingly examine for clues. If the gearbox is in good condition it will prompt investigators to search elsewhere for clues. If it is mangled they will want to know why.

Sometimes the pilots' last words on the cockpit voice recorder describe a flight problem which they cannot solve. A change in engine tone and unusual noises in the background often provide useful clues that have helped solved air crash mysteries.

But we may have to wait upwards of a year before the final report into the accident is published. 

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