The Tragic Story of Aer Lingus Flight 712: 58 Years Later

 Today, March 24th marks the 58th anniversary of the crash of Aer Lingus Flight 712, which killed all 61 people on board, including 57 passengers and 4 crew members. The aircraft, a Vickers Viscount 803 named St. Phelim, crashed into the sea off Tuskar Rock lighthouse, County Wexford, while en route from Cork to London Heathrow

Flight 712 departed Cork Airport at 10:32 AM, but lost contact shortly after. At 11:20 AM, air traffic control reported no further communication, prompting a search. Wreckage was found the next day, about 6 nautical miles north-east of Tuskar Rock and 14 bodies were recovered in the days following the crash. The aircraft had over 18,800 flight hours and was piloted by Captain Bernard O Beirne and First Officer Paul Hefferan. Also on board were Ann Kelly from Wexford and Mary Coughlan two stewardesses, along with Noel Mulcahy a national chess champion.

The investigation took two years, but the exact cause of the crash remains uncertain. Theories ranged from bird strikes and structural failures.

The crash remains one of the darkest moments in Irish aviation.

In 2006 a memorial park was dedicated in Rosslare Harbour to honour the victims, with a sculpture symbolizing the Viscounts descent.