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09/12/2008
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.
Defence Secretary John Hutton has decided that no new evidence has been uncovered after a fresh review of the contentious inquiry into the crash of a Chinook helicopter (similar, pictured) - which was carrying the elite of Northern Ireland's security personnel - and hit a hillside while flying from RAF Aldergrove, near Belfast, to Fort George, near Inverness.
The personnel aboard were on their way to attend a high-level security conference on terrorist intentions during a then ongoing deadly terror campaign.
It was the one single event that caused the heaviest loss among Northern Ireland's intelligence community in that it killed the four Special Forces crew and 25 senior members of Northern Ireland's anti-terror command - military and RUC officers included.
The cause of the crash on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994 was re-examined last year by former NIO Minister and later Defence Secretary, Des Browne, after campaigners uncovered evidence which they said could posthumously clear the pilots.
They disagreed with the formal RAF inquiry which accused Flt Lts Jonathan Tapper and Richard Cook of 'gross negligence'.
This was at odds with the first investigation, after the helicopter crash happened, in thick fog en route from Northern Ireland to Inverness, when pilots Tapper and Cook were cleared of blame.
That decision was then overturned after the formal fatal accident inquiry by these two senior RAF officers, who both claimed the pilots had been flying too fast and too low in the thick fog.
Now, the BBC is reporting that these findings by the two RAF air marshals will stand, despite campaigners persuading Des Browne to review the case a year ago, handing over a dossier which they claimed would clear the pilots, and then urging Mr Hutton to take up the case.
Campaigners still maintain there were serious flaws in the Chinook helicopter and that were more likely to have been responsible for the crash, despite the now expected negative outcome of the Hutton-sponsored investigation.
See: Chinook Crash Case To Be Re-examined
(BMcC)
Defence Secretary John Hutton has decided that no new evidence has been uncovered after a fresh review of the contentious inquiry into the crash of a Chinook helicopter (similar, pictured) - which was carrying the elite of Northern Ireland's security personnel - and hit a hillside while flying from RAF Aldergrove, near Belfast, to Fort George, near Inverness.
The personnel aboard were on their way to attend a high-level security conference on terrorist intentions during a then ongoing deadly terror campaign.
It was the one single event that caused the heaviest loss among Northern Ireland's intelligence community in that it killed the four Special Forces crew and 25 senior members of Northern Ireland's anti-terror command - military and RUC officers included.
The cause of the crash on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994 was re-examined last year by former NIO Minister and later Defence Secretary, Des Browne, after campaigners uncovered evidence which they said could posthumously clear the pilots.
They disagreed with the formal RAF inquiry which accused Flt Lts Jonathan Tapper and Richard Cook of 'gross negligence'.
This was at odds with the first investigation, after the helicopter crash happened, in thick fog en route from Northern Ireland to Inverness, when pilots Tapper and Cook were cleared of blame.
That decision was then overturned after the formal fatal accident inquiry by these two senior RAF officers, who both claimed the pilots had been flying too fast and too low in the thick fog.
Now, the BBC is reporting that these findings by the two RAF air marshals will stand, despite campaigners persuading Des Browne to review the case a year ago, handing over a dossier which they claimed would clear the pilots, and then urging Mr Hutton to take up the case.
Campaigners still maintain there were serious flaws in the Chinook helicopter and that were more likely to have been responsible for the crash, despite the now expected negative outcome of the Hutton-sponsored investigation.
See: Chinook Crash Case To Be Re-examined
(BMcC)
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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.
22 July 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.
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.
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.
07 July 2017
Woman Dies In Co Down Road Crash
A woman has died in a three vehicle crash in Co Down. The crash happened on the Belfast Road in Saintfield just before 6pm on Thursday, 06 July. A man is in a stable condition in hospital. Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them.
Woman Dies In Co Down Road Crash
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy day with outbreaks of mainly light rain at times, although there may be the odd heavier burst. Driest in the south and east during the afternoon. Moderate southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Staying cloudy throughout the evening and overnight period with a little rain or drizzle at times. Mild overnight with light winds. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
