The incident occurred shortly after 1pm today when a twin-engined light aircraft crashed as it attempted to make an emergency landing in a field south-west of Waterford Airport.
Unconfirmed reports indicated that the aircraft had declared an emergency in the minutes prior to the crash landing. It is not believed to have been a commercial flight.
A major incident has been declared, with gardaÃ, paramedics, Coast Guard and Waterford Fire Brigade personnel deploying to the site.
It is understood the small aircraft crashed in a field at a farm in the townland of Lisselan. Around 20 to 30 members of the emergency services were at the scene at about 2pm. Weather conditions were described as good at the time.
The incident occurred in a field near the R685 road which was immediately closed by Gardaà to facilitate the work of the emergency services.
The Waterford-based Rescue 117 Sikorsky helicopter also deployed to the site in support.
Emergency services raced to the scene of the incident on the Tramore to Dunmore road.
Multiple units deployed around the wreckage while others secured the scene.
Major damage is understood to have been sustained by the front section of the aircraft.
It appears the aircraft went nose-first into the ground as it attempted to land.
The tail-section of the aircraft was left standing upright after the plane came to a standstill just a short distance from a roadside ditch.
One theory is that the aircraft was trying to make an emergency landing but its nose gear sank into the sod, causing the plane to dig nose-first into the field.
It also appears that the pilot was attempting to reach the runway at Waterford Airport.
Initial indications are that the pilot was seriously injured in the incident as the front section of the plane took the brunt of the impact.
There are no indications of how many people were on board the aircraft at the time.
However, others are understood to have been injured in the incident.
A major investigation into the accident is now expected to be launched by the Air Accident Investigation Branch at the Department of Transport.
Gardaà said they were conducting a live and ongoing operation in response to the incident.
“Gardaà and emergency services are currently at the scene of a collision involving a light aircraft at a location near Tramore, Co Waterford,” a spokesperson said.
“It occurred at approximately 12.50pm. As this is a live and ongoing operation no further information is available at this time.”!
The aircraft is now understood to have been on a commercial flight at the time.
More to follow