The final investigation into the R116 helicopter crash has found the actions of the crew were not a factor in the tragedy, today's Irish Independent reports.
Four members of the Irish Coast Guard lost their lives in the crash off the Mayo coast in 2017.
Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, who had been stationed in Waterford for some time, Captain Mark Duffy, winch operator Paul Ormsby and winchman Ciaran Smith all lost their lives when their helicopter – Rescue R116 -crashed into Blackrock Island in March 2017.
A final report by the Air Accident Investigation Unit will find human error was not a contributing factor in the rescue mission. The report draws attention to the required safety procedures and protocols.
In its 2017 preliminary report the AAIU found the island wasn't registered on the crew’s internal mapping system.
The report is expected to be published in full today and the inquests into the crews inquests can then finally be completed.
The bodies of Dara Fitzpatrick and Mark Duffy were recovered but the bodies of Paul Ormsby and Ciaran Smith remain lost at sea.
