Tributes paid to 'true gentleman' pilot who died in plane crash between Clonbullogue and Edenderry, Co Offaly

Eighteen people (including sixteen with jump equipment) in a Caravan? It might not have been the cause of the crash, but the aircraft was undoubtedly operated in an overloaded configuration.

Being utilized as a jump-bird for parachutists, I would assume it to be a cargo-version, and therefore would not have any passenger seats in the cabin area, which would actually be a cargo area. That said, the 16 parachutists with jump equipment would be "cargo". Would their combined weight be more than the certified load capacity of the plane? I have no idea. And about the possibility of hitting overhead lines, witnesses say they saw the plane nose-diving almost vertically into the ground. Again, I have no idea. But RIP to the lost souls and sad for the dad of that poor kid.

Hi Torsten Hoff.
I don,t know much about the Aircraft but believe it was a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/g-knys
I heard that with a FAR Part 23 waiver it can seat up to fourteen passengers. !!

My suspicion is that it hit overhead power lines - see the pictures here .. https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/sevenyearold-boy-who-died-in-plane-crash-named-36907871.html

When it say ""can seat up to 14" your statement, would be correct ..

I would like to express my condolences to the families of the two people who lost their lives, and to the parachute club as well, as I know they do a lot for fundraising jumpers .. A sad story indeed ..