Pilot dies in small plane crash in Republic of Ireland

A pilot has died after a small aeroplane crashed in the Republic of Ireland.

It happened near Tramore in County Waterford, at about 12:50 local time on Thursday.

The pilot was alone in the plane, gardaí (Irish police) said.

Emergency service units, including Coast Guard Rescue 117, attended the scene, which happened on its approach to Waterford Airport.

The pilot's body was taken to University Hospital Waterford on Thursday night, Irish broadcaster RTÉ is reporting.

The broadcaster said the privately-owned Vulcanair P68C was flying between Sligo and Beziers, in France, when it turned around off the south coast of Ireland and headed back towards Waterford Airport.

The Air Accident Investigation Unit said it completed an initial examination of the scene on Thursday, adding that four inspectors would return to the site on Friday morning.