Pair"s lucky escape as plane crashes in field

Two people were lucky to escape serious injury after their light aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing in a barley field close to Trim Airfield at Dunganny last Wednesday afternoon, 20th August. The pilot and his passenger had just taken off from Trim Airfield bound for Weston Airport. Leixlip, when the single-engined plane"s engine stalled shortly after 2pm. The pilot attempted to start the engine again, but it completely stopped and he managed to clear a row of trees before making a forced landing in a barley field approximately 250 metres from Trim Airfield, about 100m from the main Trim-Navan Road. Trim Fire Service was alerted and rushed to the scene as a precautionary measure but it is understood that there were no fuel leakages following the crash. Both the pilot and his female passenger were able to walk away from the crash scene but were taken by ambulance to Our Lady"s Hospital, Navan, where they were treated for minor injuries. They were discharged later that day. The Piper PA-28, which was owned by the pilot, was substantially damaged following the accident. Two inspectors from the Department of Transport"s Air Accident Investigation Unit attended the scene. The plane was recovered locally and the inspector in charge of the investigation, Leo Murray, said the investigation is proceeding and that a report is not expected for approximately two months. Weather conditions were good at the time of the accident and, according to Mr Murray, it is believed that weather was not a primary factor in causing the crash. The aircraft had recently received its certificate of airworthiness. The pilot was not a local and it is understood that he was not a member of Trim Flying Club.