page_title: Dara Fitzpatrick
section_title: Death
hierarchical_section_title: Dara Fitzpatrick / Death
caption_attribution_description: Relief map of Ireland Equirectangular map projection on WGS 84 datum, with N/S stretched 170% Geographic limits: West: 11.0° W East: 5.0° W North: 55.6° N South: 51.2° N
context_page_description: Dara Fitzpatrick was the Irish Coast Guard's most senior helicopter search and rescue pilot. As a Captain, she piloted the Dublin-based Rescue 116 helicopter. She was killed in the 2017 Irish Coast Guard Rescue 116 crash in March 2017.
context_section_description: Fitzpatrick died after her search and rescue team's helicopter, Rescue 116, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean while providing top cover for the Sligo-based search and rescue helicopter, Rescue 118, during a rescue mission off the west coast of County Mayo, Ireland. Fitzpatrick was found and later pronounced dead at Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar. The body belonging to one of the missing crew was found in the cockpit section of the aircraft on 24 March by Navy divers and it was retrieved on 26 March after which it was identified as that of co-pilot Captain Mark Duffy. Two other members of the crew, Winchman Ciarán Smith and Winch Operator Paul Ormsby remained missing and memorial services were held for them in May 2017 and June 2017 respectively.  The search and recovery operation was scaled back after April 2017. Her funeral took place on 18 March and she was buried.
caption: Location of crash site
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