Dara Fitzpatrick
Born15 October 1971
Kilternan, Dublin, Ireland
Died (aged 45)
Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland
Occupation(s)Irish Coast Guard helicopter search and rescue pilot
Years active1992–2017
Children1

Dara Fitzpatrick (15 October 1971 – 14 March 2017) was the Irish Coast Guard's most senior helicopter search and rescue pilot.[1] As a Captain, she piloted the Dublin-based Rescue 116 helicopter. She was killed in the 2017 Irish Coast Guard Rescue 116 crash in March 2017.

Background

Fitzpatrick had originally wanted to join Aer Lingus, but didn't get accepted. The Irish Air Corps was hiring pilots, so she began taking helicopter lessons. She was one of the first women to pilot an aircraft for the Irish Marine Emergency Service, the precursor to the Coast Guard.[2][3] She was initially stationed with the Shannon-based search and rescue team, before transferring to Waterford in 2002 where she became chief pilot of the Rescue 117 helicopter, a Sikorsky S-61N. She later joined the Dublin Coast Guard crew and was pilot in charge of Rescue 116, a Sikorsky S-92A.[2]

In 2010, Fitzpatrick and her crew received the "Best of Irish Award" for rescuing an airplane pilot who had crashed into the Irish Sea.[4] In August 2013, Fitzpatrick and her colleague, Captain Carmel Kirby, made Irish aviation history when they crewed the first all-female mission in the Irish Coast Guard helicopter service.[5][6]

In 2007, she created a video with the Irish Bishops’ Conference, on the theme of "alcohol and the challenge of moderation."[7] She was also known for her starring role in Rescue 117, a 2011 documentary series on RTÉ which gave behind-the-scenes access to the helicopter search and rescue service.[8]

Death

Dara Fitzpatrick is located in island of Ireland
Dara Fitzpatrick
Location of crash site
EI-ICR, the aircraft involved in the accident

Fitzpatrick died after her search and rescue team's helicopter, Rescue 116, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean while providing top cover for the Sligo-based search and rescue helicopter, Rescue 118, during a rescue mission off the west coast of County Mayo, Ireland. Fitzpatrick was found and later pronounced dead at Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar.[8][9] The body belonging to one of the missing crew was found in the cockpit section of the aircraft on 24 March by Navy divers and it was retrieved on 26 March after which it was identified as that of co-pilot Captain Mark Duffy.[10] Two other members of the crew, Winchman Ciarán Smith and Winch Operator Paul Ormsby remained missing and memorial services were held for them in May 2017 and June 2017 respectively. The search and recovery operation was scaled back after April 2017.[15] Her funeral took place on 18 March and she was buried.[16][17][18]

Legacy

The band U2 paid tribute to Dara Fitzpatrick at a concert in July 2017.[19]

Heli Operations, a British helicopter training and crew supply firm named one of their Sea King helicopters 'Dara' after Captain Fitzpatrick.[20][21][22]

The circumstances surrounding Dara Fitzpatrick's death was featured in the RTÉ program 2017: A Year in Review.[23]

References

  1. 1 2 "Irish coastguard pilot Captain Dara Fitzpatrick dies after crash". BBC News. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
  2. 1 2 D'Arcy, Ciarán (14 March 2017). "Coast Guard crash: Capt Dara Fitzpatrick key to high-profile missions". The Irish Times. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  3. ↑ Murphy, Claire (12 August 2009). "Sea crash pilot is saved by Cpt Dara - Herald.ie". Herald.ie. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  4. ↑ "CHC Helicopter crew commended for dramatic air-sea rescue". www.shephardmedia.com. 1 July 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  5. ↑ Siggins, Lorna; Gleeson, Colin; Pollak, Sorcha (14 March 2017). "Search for Coast Guard crew continues after one death confirmed". The Irish Times. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  6. ↑ Harkin, Greg (14 August 2013). "Woman pilots make Coast Guard history". Independent.ie. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  7. ↑ Irish Bishops Conference (2007). "Find the Balance with alcohol - Dara Fitzpatrick". www.icatholic.ie. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  8. 1 2 "One dead, three missing in Coast Guard helicopter crash". RTÉ. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  9. ↑ "Helicopter pilot 'lived life to the full'". RTÉ. 15 March 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  10. ↑ "Mayo search operation stalled by poor weather". RTE News. 18 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  11. ↑ "Search continues for three members of Coast Guard helicopter crew". The Journal.ie. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
  12. ↑ "Latest: Capt. Dara Fitzpatrick leaves behind 'heartbroken' family and 3-year-old son; 3 missing crew named". breakingnews.ie. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
  13. ↑ "Search wound down for crew of missing Coast Guard". ITV News. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
  14. ↑ Siggins, Lorna (20 May 2017). "Rescue 116 crew member remembered as 'selfless'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  15. ↑ [1][11][12][13][14]
  16. ↑ "Chopper gives 'top cover' to Capt Dara Fitzpatrick at emotional farewell". irishtimes.com. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  17. ↑ "Mourners gather for funeral of 'talented and generous' hero Coast Guard Captain Dara Fitzpatrick - Independent.ie". independent.ie. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  18. ↑ "Captain Dara Fitzpatrick remembered at funeral mass". rte.ie. 18 March 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  19. ↑ "U2 paid 'beautiful' tribute to hero pilot Dara Fitzpatrick, says her sister - Independent.ie".
  20. ↑ Hughes, Edel (13 December 2017). "Helicopter to be named after brave Rescue 116 pilot".
  21. ↑ "First look at the iconic Sea King helicopter named after Captain Dara Fitzpatrick". 11 December 2017.
  22. ↑ Murray, Sean. "'A lovely gesture': New helicopter named after Captain Dara Fitzpatrick".
  23. ↑ "2017: A Year in Review - News - RTÉ News - RTÉ Ireland's National Television and Radio Broadcaster". RTÉ.ie.
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