THE moments leading up to the Manx2.com plane crash at Cork Airport have been revealed.
The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) has published a preliminary report into the disaster in which six people died.
The Manx2.com flight, operated by Spanish company Flightline BCN, had been flown from Belfast City Airport and was attempting to land at Cork for the third time on February 10 when it crashed in low visibility shortly before 10am.
There were 12 people onboard the plane - a Fairchild SA-227-BC Metro III - 10 passengers and two crew.
Both crew members were killed, as were four passengers. The other six passengers were injured.
The report states: "Recorded data shows that the aircraft rolled significantly to the left as the aircraft tracked towards the runway centre line.
"This was immediately followed by a rapid roll to the right which brought the right wingtip into contact with the runway surface.
"Runway surface contact was made with a roll angle of 97 degrees to the right.
It added: "The aircraft continued to roll rapidly to the right and struck the runway in the fully inverted position 25 metres beyond the initial impact point.
"The propeller blades on both engines were severely damaged, three of the four propeller blades on the right hand engine detached during the inverted impact. Fire occurred in both engines post impact."
The AAIU has said a final report will be published in due course.
The preliminary report explains: "The factors which resulted in the loss of control are being examined.
"The engines and propellers have been sent to appropriate facilities for examination.
"The experience of both flight crew members is being examined as the commander was newly promoted and the first officer had recently joined the operation."
The report will also examine the relationships between the air operators certificate holder, the ticket seller (Isle of Man-based Manx2.com) and the organisation which supplied the aircraft and flight crew.
Manx2.com ended its Belfast City to Cork route at the weekend.
