A plane crash in Co. Offaly last year that claimed the lives of two pilots occurred because the aircraft ran out of fuel.

31-year-old pilot Niall Doherty, from Roscrea in Co. Tipperary, and 31-year-old student pilot Damien Deegan, from Crinkle in Birr, both died when the Cessna aircraft crashed in scrub land in Birr last November.

A report by the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) found no mechanical fault with the plane itself which was operated by the Ormond Flying Club. But it said the crash happened because of a lack of fuel.

The report says that following "a touch-and-go landing", the aircraft was seen by witnesses climbing away, who then heard the engine lose power and saw the aircraft making a steep descending turn to the left before disappearing from view.

As a result of this Investigation eight Safety Recommendations are issued.

The AAIU has made eight recommendations to the flying club, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and the General Aviation Safety Council of Ireland.

Separate investigations were launched into the crash by gardai and the AAIU.