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22/07/2002
MoD refuse to exonerate Chinook crash pilots
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has declined to accept a report by a House of Lords select committee into the 1994 Chinook crash on the Mull of Kintyre.
Despite a finding by peers that there was no justification for the pilots to be blamed for the crash, the MoD said it "did not accept" the conclusion of the Lords select committee.
Junior Defence Minister Lord Bach said that the finding of pilot negligence was the only realistic explanation of the events in 1994. He said that the aircraft had entered cloud "well below the safety altitude". Lord Bach added that they had "agonised over some way to exonerate the pilots posthumously", but said that on the basis of the evidence that they had been unable to do so.
Campaigners awaiting for an official response to the House of Lords select committee report said that they feared that the UK government would reject the Lord's findings.
The two pilots, Jonathan Tapper and Richard Cook, were both killed in the crash and there were no witnesses to what befell the Chinook helicopter. The helicopter was carrying 25 intelligence officers and four aircrew when it hit a hillside in thick fog killing everyone aboard while on its way to Inverness in Scotland from Northern Ireland.
Campaigners have maintained that there were serious concerns with the safety of the aircraft which had undergone a major refit as part of an upgrade.
The initial internal inquiry conducted by the RAF, which was unable to reach a conclusion as to the cause of the crash, found no evidence of "human failings". However, this finding was overturned by a subsequent investigation conducted by two senior RAF officers, both Air Marshals, who concluded that there had been pilot error.
Campaigners were hopeful that the RAF would be forced to reconvene a board of inquiry or set aside the findings of the original investigation.
(SP)
Despite a finding by peers that there was no justification for the pilots to be blamed for the crash, the MoD said it "did not accept" the conclusion of the Lords select committee.
Junior Defence Minister Lord Bach said that the finding of pilot negligence was the only realistic explanation of the events in 1994. He said that the aircraft had entered cloud "well below the safety altitude". Lord Bach added that they had "agonised over some way to exonerate the pilots posthumously", but said that on the basis of the evidence that they had been unable to do so.
Campaigners awaiting for an official response to the House of Lords select committee report said that they feared that the UK government would reject the Lord's findings.
The two pilots, Jonathan Tapper and Richard Cook, were both killed in the crash and there were no witnesses to what befell the Chinook helicopter. The helicopter was carrying 25 intelligence officers and four aircrew when it hit a hillside in thick fog killing everyone aboard while on its way to Inverness in Scotland from Northern Ireland.
Campaigners have maintained that there were serious concerns with the safety of the aircraft which had undergone a major refit as part of an upgrade.
The initial internal inquiry conducted by the RAF, which was unable to reach a conclusion as to the cause of the crash, found no evidence of "human failings". However, this finding was overturned by a subsequent investigation conducted by two senior RAF officers, both Air Marshals, who concluded that there had been pilot error.
Campaigners were hopeful that the RAF would be forced to reconvene a board of inquiry or set aside the findings of the original investigation.
(SP)
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19 July 2002
Chinook pilots may not be exonerated
The two pilots of the Chinook helicopter that crashed on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994 may not be cleared of "gross negligence" despite a finding by peers that there was no justification for the pilots to be blamed for the crash.
Chinook pilots may not be exonerated
The two pilots of the Chinook helicopter that crashed on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994 may not be cleared of "gross negligence" despite a finding by peers that there was no justification for the pilots to be blamed for the crash.
05 February 2002
RAF pilots cleared of blame for Chinook 1994 Mull of Kintyre crash
Two RAF pilots have been effectively cleared of causing the 1994 Chinook helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre in which 29 people died. A House of Lords select committee concluded on Tuesday February 5 there was no justification for finding fault with the two pilots.
RAF pilots cleared of blame for Chinook 1994 Mull of Kintyre crash
Two RAF pilots have been effectively cleared of causing the 1994 Chinook helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre in which 29 people died. A House of Lords select committee concluded on Tuesday February 5 there was no justification for finding fault with the two pilots.
27 May 2010
Chinook Pilots 'Negligence' To Be Reviewed
There's to be another investigation into the now infamous crash of a Chinook helicopter near Inverness. Confusion and distress has been continuing for the relatives of the two RAF pilots variously cleared and then found guilty of 'gross negligence' after multiple fatalities in the crash on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994.
Chinook Pilots 'Negligence' To Be Reviewed
There's to be another investigation into the now infamous crash of a Chinook helicopter near Inverness. Confusion and distress has been continuing for the relatives of the two RAF pilots variously cleared and then found guilty of 'gross negligence' after multiple fatalities in the crash on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994.
09 December 2008
Chinook Pilots Verdict To Stand
There's bad news today for relatives of two RAF pilots, as an earlier verdict of 'gross negligence' on the two dead servicemen looks set to remain in place.
Chinook Pilots Verdict To Stand
There's bad news today for relatives of two RAF pilots, as an earlier verdict of 'gross negligence' on the two dead servicemen looks set to remain in place.
03 July 2001
LORDS INQUIRY LOOKS INTO CHINOOK CRASH
A new House of Lords committee set up to investigate the 1994 Chinook crash, chaired by Lord Jauncey of Tullichettle, met for the first time on Tuesday July 3. The helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre claimed the lives of all 29 people on board the Chinook who were travelling from Northern Ireland to Scotland.
LORDS INQUIRY LOOKS INTO CHINOOK CRASH
A new House of Lords committee set up to investigate the 1994 Chinook crash, chaired by Lord Jauncey of Tullichettle, met for the first time on Tuesday July 3. The helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre claimed the lives of all 29 people on board the Chinook who were travelling from Northern Ireland to Scotland.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
