A preliminary report into a fatal plane crash in the Blackstairs Mountain in Co Carlow in May has found cloud may have led to poor visibility.

Bryan Keane and Paul Smith died instantly when the Cessna 182 aircraft they were flying came down on the afternoon of Sunday the 24th of May.

Mr Keane (69) and Mr Smith (58) were both experienced pilots from Athboy Co Meath and were on their way to a fly-in at a private airfield in Co Wexford with their two pet dogs, when their plane crashed in the Blackstairs Mountain - killing both of them and the animals instantly.

The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU)has published its preliminary report and has found the engine was working at the time of impact.

But a weather report from Met Éireann says while there were no general problems with cloud, an "absolutely unstable atmosphere" would have led to a risk of poor visibility and cloud conditions above 1,000 feet due to condensation.

The final radar return showed the aircraft at an altitude of 2,300 feet.