Plane crash inquiry due to begin

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Rescue teams where the wreckage was found

Air accident investigators will return to Wicklow in the Irish Republic where a light aircraft from Gloucestershire airport crashed, killing four people.

The Piper PA-28 single engine plane took off on Saturday morning but failed to land at Kilrush in County Kildare.

Pilot Sharif Booz, his wife Margaret O'Kennedy Booz and son Ayman, 14, from Bristol, were all killed.

The other victim is Charlie Froud, 14, a friend of Ayman. Post-mortem examinations are due to be carried out.

Flight plan

Family members have arrived in the Irish Republic from the UK.

Mark Ryan, Director of Staverton Airport in Gloucestershire, said the community served by the airport was "saddened" by the news.

"Everybody knows everybody here," he said.

"Mr Booz was well-known and liked."

Mr Ryan added: "He would have made rigorous checks before take-off and would have factored in the weather."

Mr Booz's flight plan and details prior to departure had been forwarded to the team investigating the crash.

Air Accident Investigators from the Irish Government said it was too soon to say if unsettled weather was the cause of the accident.

'Gregarious person'

Jurgen Whyte, chief inspector of Air Accidents, said: "Obviously we'll be looking at all aspects but we'll be looking at the weather conditions in particular, because I think everyone's aware that the weather was quite bad.

"We'll be interested to see the flight planning of the aircraft, the prevailing weather conditions at the time and also we'll be examining the aircraft."

The plane, which had to be pulled out of a bog, was left at the scene on Sunday night, at Corriebracks, just south of Hollywood.

Family friend Richard Hope-Hawkin said he heard the news on his BBC local radio station.

"I couldn't believe what I heard. I've known Sharif for seven years and he was an extremely gregarious person," he said.

"He was born in Egypt where his father was a surgeon and he built up his property business from one place in Clifton.

"He flew regularly to Ireland because of Margaret's family. It's so tragic, he was someone who worked so hard, it's devastating," he added.