Garda Surveillance Aircraft Involved in Minor Runway Incident

The newly acquired de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter Guardian 400 aircraft, operated by the Garda Air Support Unit, experienced a minor incident at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel, west Dublin, on Thursday, March 5, 2026. The aircraft briefly left the runway while landing in poor weather conditions during a training exercise.

Details of the Incident

According to sources, the incident was “relatively minor,” with no obvious damage to the aircraft. A full assessment is underway to determine if any repairs are needed before the plane can return to service. Open-source flight data indicates the aircraft took off from Shannon Airport at 2:07 PM and landed shortly after at Casement Aerodrome.

About the New Aircraft

The de Havilland Twin Otter Guardian 400 replaced the Garda’s previous aircraft, a Britten-Norman Defender 4000, which had reached the end of its operational life after entering service in 1997. The new aircraft, acquired at a cost of approximately €7 million, is equipped with sophisticated surveillance technology, including cameras and other specialized equipment installed in Austria.

The aircraft is piloted by personnel from the Irish Air Corps, with a team of specialist Gardaí operating the surveillance equipment. Its primary mission is intelligence gathering and surveillance, designed to operate at high altitudes and remain airborne for extended periods.

Garda Air Support Unit

The Garda Air Support Unit (GASU) utilizes the aircraft for monitoring organized crime groups and other security concerns, though specific operational details are kept confidential. The acquisition of the new fixed-wing aircraft complements the Garda’s existing helicopter fleet, also operated by the Air Corps, in supporting crime prevention efforts.

A €120 million expansion plan is currently underway at Casement Aerodrome to accommodate the growing fleet of the Irish Air Corps.