Pilot Reported Engine and Alternator Issues Minutes Before Fatal Vulcanair

December 22, 2025 at 06:00 AM•3 min read

The Air Accident Investigation Unit ([AAIU](https://www.aaiu.ie)) preliminary report detailed the Vulcanair P.68C-TC pilot's emergency declaration of low

Key Points

1Pilot of Vulcanair P.68C-TC EI-HPY declared an emergency reporting low fuel pressure and an alternator issue on the left engine minutes before the November 20, 2025, fatal crash near Waterford Airport.
2The aircraft had not been flown since its arrival at Sligo Airport in July, and a maintenance organization was contracted to obtain an Airworthiness Review Certificate prior to the ferry flight to Slovenia.
3AAIU preliminary report indicates the pilot reduced power on the left engine, which was 'shaking' when throttle was advanced, before the aircraft entered a steep left turn and crashed during the emergency diversion attempt.

The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) has released a preliminary report. It details the final minutes of a Vulcanair P.68C-TC fatal crash near Waterford Airport (WAT) on November 20, 2025. The Turkish pilot, Bircan Dokuzlar, was fatally injured in the accident. The twin-engine aircraft, registered EI-HPY, was on a ferry flight from Sligo Airport (SXL) to Ljubljana, Slovenia. The route included a planned stop at Béziers Cap d'Agde Airport in France.

Pilot Emergency Declaration

Minutes before the crash, the pilot issued an emergency declaration to air traffic control (ATC). The pilot reported a serious technical problem with the left engine. Specifically, he noted an alternator issue and low fuel pressure.

Control of the aircraft had just been transferred from Shannon ATC to the UK’s Western Radar Air Traffic Service. The pilot requested a direct approach to Waterford Airport for an emergency landing. He told Waterford ATC his left alternator was “off” and fuel pressure was “low”.

Final Moments of Flight EI-HPY

The pilot informed ATC he was attempting a normal landing. He stated he had reduced power on the left engine. He also reported the engine was “shaking, it’s shaking” if the throttle was advanced. The aircraft was cleared to enter the Waterford Airport diversion control zone. All airport departures were halted until the plane landed. An eyewitness video referenced in the AAIU preliminary report findings shows the aircraft. The plane abandoned its approach and entered a steep left turn. It quickly lost altitude and crashed near the airport. The aircraft sustained significant damage, including ruptured fuel tanks.

Airworthiness and Maintenance Context

The investigation is focusing on the aircraft’s recent history. The Vulcanair P.68C-TC, a twin-engine light aircraft, was purchased by a Slovenian company in May. It had been stored at Sligo Airport since July and had not been flown.

The Slovenian operator contracted an Irish maintenance firm.
The firm was to handle administrative tasks and secure an Airworthiness Review Certificate.
The aircraft was refueled with 310 litres of fluid the day before the flight.

This EI-HPY accident investigation highlights the critical nature of pre-flight maintenance checks. Even small twin-engine aircraft require strict adherence to EASA and national aircraft airworthiness review standards. The lack of a cockpit voice recorder or flight data recorder on this size of aircraft means investigators rely heavily on ATC communications and maintenance records. This makes the pilot's recorded distress calls crucial to understanding the sequence of events. The findings will be vital for future commercial aviation news and safety protocols across the general aviation sector [https://flying.flights]. The final report is expected to provide a full analysis and conclusions.