A probe by the Air Accident Investigation Unit into a fatal crash near Knock Airport in May 2008 has concluded that the accident was caused by engine failure.
Markus Casey, 51, from Salthill in Galway, died when he attempted an emergency landing into a field in Kilmovee, Co Mayo, after the engine in his light aircraft failed.
His passenger on the aircraft, John Dunphy from Dublin, sustained serious injuries but survived.
In the report published today, the AAIU probe concluded that an inlet valve had failed, causing the engine to stop.
Mr Casey had tried to land the aircraft, a two-seater Beechcraft, but the plane stalled and hit the ground nose first.
The terrain in the area also made an emergency landing very difficult.
Today's report said that the Certificate of Airworthiness on the plane had expired seven days before the accident, and an annual inspection due the month before the accident was not completed.
The report says that the seatbelt fitted and worn by Mr Casey did not provide enough protection from injury.
The report makes two recommendations: the Irish Aviation Authority is urged to review how aircraft defects and repairs are recorded, and that both the European Aviation Safety Agency and the Federal Aviation Administration in the US look at strengthening seat belts to increase the survival rate in such crashes.
