New radio documentary explores plane crash on Achill Island

A DOCUMENTARY, 'Plane Crash on Achill Island’, is due to be broadcast on Midwest Radio on Sunday, January 2, at 9 a.m.

This new documentary is about the plane crash which occurred on Achill Island on June 16, 1950, when an RAF weather recording plane returning to Belfast crashed into Croghaun Mountain in dense fog. The entire crew of eight died in the crash.

The island was suddenly plunged into a major emergency and recovery operation.

The documentary draws from many archival sources as well as featuring interviews with members of the Achill Island community who still remember the shocking event from over 70 years ago.

Documentary maker Joanna McNicholas also meets relatives of Airman Bernard McKenna from Navan, Co. Meath, who died in the accident and hear of his family’s visits to Achill in search of information about the crash.

On a visit to Achill Island, Joanna encountered a number of islanders who had clear recollection of the plane crash. She decided to record their stories and chronicle the information before it was lost. After much research she also located relatives of Airman McKenna.

The documentary can also be listened to live online on the Midwest radio website – midwestradio.ie.