‘One individual killed’ after gentle plane crashes in Ireland
One person has been killed after a light aircraft crashed off the Waterford coast in Ireland this afternoon, local media reports.
The Vulcanair P68 went down at around 12.50pm on its approach to Waterford Airport in Killowen, south of the city.
Gardai and other emergency services, including Rescue 117, were alerted and quickly arrived on the scene.
The deceased was the only person onboard the aircraft and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to local media.
An Garda Siochana confirmed the incident in a statement, describing the aircraft as a ‘light aircraft’. Air crash investigators said it was a ‘twin-engined general aviation aircraft’.
A spokesman added: ‘As this is a live and ongoing operation, no further information is available at this time.’
Pictures from the scene show the aircraft lying in a field southwest of Waterford Airport, with the tail-section still upright.
Online flight-tracking websites show the privately owned Vulcanair P68C was flying between Sligo and Beziers, in France, when it turned around off the south coast of Ireland and headed back towards Waterford Airport.
Flight tracking company AirNav Radar said the plane had declared an emergency over the south coast before it crashed.
One person has been killed after a light aircraft crashed off the Waterford coast in Ireland this afternoon. Pictures show the light aircraft in a field southwest of Waterford Airport. The tail-section of the aircraft appears to be standing upright in the field
Online flight-tracking websites show the privately owned Vulcanair P68C was flying between Sligo and Beziers, in France, when it turned around off the south coast of Ireland and headed back towards Waterford Airport before the crash
The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) of the Department of Transport is leading the investigation alongside emergency services and the Irish Aviation Authority.
The AAIU said four air accident inspectors have been deployed to the site near Lisselan, outside Tramore.
Gardai confirmed officers are currently at the scene.
A spokesperson said: ‘Gardai and emergency services are currently at the scene of a collision involving a light aircraft at a location near Tramore, Co. Waterford which occurred at approximately 12:50pm this afternoon, Thursday 20th November 2025.
”As this is a live and ongoing operation, no further information is available at this time.’
Sinn Fein TD for Waterford David Cullinane said a rescue helicopter was among emergency services responding to the crash.
He said it was a ‘shock’ to the local area, adding that the community’s thoughts are with whoever was on the plane.
Fellow Sinn Fein Waterford TD, Conor D. McGuinness added: ‘Hearing reports of a twin engine plane crashing just outside Waterford City. Praying for the best outcome.
‘Road closures in the vicinity of Waterford Airport. Please give our emergency services the space to do their work.’
This is a breaking news story, more to follow.
