A twin-engine Vulcanair P68C aircraft registered EI-HPY crashed into a field near Tramore, Co. Waterford, shortly before 12:50 on Thursday after turning back toward Waterford Airport during a flight from Sligo to Béziers, France.
The pilot declared an emergency approximately 50km off the coast and subsequently crashed in a field near Lisselan, Co Waterford, while attempting to divert to Waterford Airport.
Gardaí have confirmed the sole occupant was killed. Emergency services, including a rescue helicopter, responded within minutes, and the Air Accident Investigation Unit has deployed four inspectors to the site at Lisselan as a full inquiry gets underway.
The Irish Aviation Authority has also been notified. Local TD David Cullinane said the crash had come as a shock to the community, adding that residents’ thoughts are with those affected.
?Breaking — A twin-engine aircraft has crashed in a field near Waterford Airport.
The aircraft, registered as EI-HPY (Hex: 4CAF2E), had declared an emergency while flying over the south Irish coast. According to our data, it was attempting an emergency landing at Waterford… pic.twitter.com/PF679L10a6
— AirNav Radar (@AirNavRadar) November 20, 2025