Airbus Helicopters AS 355 F2 crash near Ireland West Airport, Ireland

leon.Quirke@aaiu.ieMarch 27, 2026 Following a flight from its base in Scotland, the Helicopter, an AS 355 F2, with one Pilot on board, conducted an approach to Runway 26 at Ireland West Airport (EIKN). As the Helicopter manoeuvred at a low height towards Taxiway A, the Pilot felt a momentary ‘kick of yaw’ but retained full control of the Helicopter and subsequently landed at the allocated stand. After engine shutdown, the Pilot observed that a section of the tail rotor driveshaft fairing was missing and was later found on the runway. The fairing caused damage to the tail rotor driveshaft and tail rotor blades as it departed the Helicopter. No injuries were reported to the Investigation and there was no fire.