DEBRIS belonging to missing SAR helicopter 116 has been discovered near a lighthouse off the Mayo coast as the search for its remaining crew continues.
The missing helicopter, Dublin-based SAR (Search and Rescue) 116, had been providing assistance to the Sligo-based SAR 118 to complete a medical evacuation of a crewman from a British-registered fishing vessel around 1am Tuesday morning, March 14.
Contact with the Dublin helicopter was lost around 1am and a major search operation commenced on Tuesday involving SAR Helicopters from Sligo and Shannon, as well as the Air Corps Casa – a maritime patrol aircraft.
The lighthouse at Black Sod, where the debris was found. (Picture: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie)Ballyglass and Achill all-weather lifeboats (ALBs) and the LÉ Roisín also joined the search.
A faint signal from the Black Box flight recorder was detected in the waters around 50m from Black Rock light house, 10 miles west of Black Sod bay in Co. Mayo where the helicopter had last refuelled.
The Investigation unit handling the search said attempts were made to pinpoint the signal but six metre ocean swells forced the search operation back.
Investigators believe the back box will be close to the wreckage and the three remaining crew, Captain Mark Duffy as well as winchmen Paul Ormsby and Ciarán Smith, will be found in the same area.
The six investigators, two from Britain and four from the Air Accident Investigation Unit had to approach Black Rock lighthouse by Air Corps helicopter as the waters were too dangerous.
Jurgen Whyte, an Inspector with the Air Accident Investigation Unit told RTÉ Prime Time last night the investigation unit had taken aerial photographs of the lighthouse and identified 'areas of interest.'
Captain Mark Duffy as well as winchmen Paul Ormsby and Ciarán Smith, above left, are still missing from SAR helicopter 116, but Capt Dara Fitzpatrick, right, was recovered earlier this week (Picture: Rollingnews/EMEA CHC)"When we got to the top of Black Rock, which is a treacherous area, we did find elements and parts of wreckage that we can identify as coming from Rescue 116.
"We have found no impact marks of significance on the island itself and no direct marks on the lighthouse itself."
The remains of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick were recovered from the scene earlier this week.
Capt Fitzpatrick, aged 45 at the time of her death, had been a serving Search and Rescue crew member for over 20 years.
She is survived by her three-year-old son Fionn, parents John and Mary, sisters Niamh, Orla, and Emer, and brother Johnny.
