Menu
19/04/2007
Iraq helicopter crash was due to 'mechanical failure'
The death of eight British servicemen in a US helicopter crash at the beginning of the Iraq war was caused by a "mechanical failure", a coroner has ruled.
The finding contradicts the findings of the US inquiry, which said that the pilots had become "spatially disoriented" during bad weather.
The UK inquiry was conducted by Oxford coroner Andrew Walker, who had earlier criticised the US for failing to co-operate with the inquest.
The US then supplied the inquest with an edited report on the crash.
Recording a narrative verdict, Mr Walker said that there was "no evidence whatsoever" that pilot error in the form of spatial disorientation was the cause of the crash, based on the evidence he had seen.
A British board of inquiry into the crash had also blamed a technical fault for the crash, but this verdict was later overruled by British defence chiefs who endorsed the findings of the US inquiry.
The helicopter, a US CH-46 Sea Knight, crashed several miles south of the border with Kuwait on March 21.
The British victims were: Royal Marines Colour Sergeant John Cecil, 35, from Plymouth, Devon; Captain Philip Guy, 29, from Bishopdale, North Yorkshire; Marine Sholto Hedenskog, 26, from Cape Town, South Africa; Warrant Officer 2 Mark Stratford, 39, from Plymouth; and Major Jason Ward, 34, from Torquay, Devon; Operator Mechanic (Communications) Second Class Ian Seymour, 29, from Poole in Dorset; Sergeant Les Hehir, 34, also from Poole; and Lance Bombardier Llywelyn Evans, 24, from Llandudno, north Wales.
Four US servicemen were also killed.
(KMcA/JM)
The finding contradicts the findings of the US inquiry, which said that the pilots had become "spatially disoriented" during bad weather.
The UK inquiry was conducted by Oxford coroner Andrew Walker, who had earlier criticised the US for failing to co-operate with the inquest.
The US then supplied the inquest with an edited report on the crash.
Recording a narrative verdict, Mr Walker said that there was "no evidence whatsoever" that pilot error in the form of spatial disorientation was the cause of the crash, based on the evidence he had seen.
A British board of inquiry into the crash had also blamed a technical fault for the crash, but this verdict was later overruled by British defence chiefs who endorsed the findings of the US inquiry.
The helicopter, a US CH-46 Sea Knight, crashed several miles south of the border with Kuwait on March 21.
The British victims were: Royal Marines Colour Sergeant John Cecil, 35, from Plymouth, Devon; Captain Philip Guy, 29, from Bishopdale, North Yorkshire; Marine Sholto Hedenskog, 26, from Cape Town, South Africa; Warrant Officer 2 Mark Stratford, 39, from Plymouth; and Major Jason Ward, 34, from Torquay, Devon; Operator Mechanic (Communications) Second Class Ian Seymour, 29, from Poole in Dorset; Sergeant Les Hehir, 34, also from Poole; and Lance Bombardier Llywelyn Evans, 24, from Llandudno, north Wales.
Four US servicemen were also killed.
(KMcA/JM)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 July 2009
British Soldier Dies In Afghan Helicopter Crash
A British soldier is among three troops who have been killed in a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed. The soldier, from 22 Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers, died after the helicopter crashed during takeoff in Zabul Province on Monday afternoon.
British Soldier Dies In Afghan Helicopter Crash
A British soldier is among three troops who have been killed in a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed. The soldier, from 22 Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers, died after the helicopter crashed during takeoff in Zabul Province on Monday afternoon.
15 June 2005
Two British tourists involved in NY helicopter crash
Two British tourists are believed to have been among the passengers on a helicopter, which plummeted into a river in New York yesterday. Karen and Gary Butler, from Chelmsford in Essex, are believed to have been on a sightseeing tour at the time of the crash, along with five other passengers.
Two British tourists involved in NY helicopter crash
Two British tourists are believed to have been among the passengers on a helicopter, which plummeted into a river in New York yesterday. Karen and Gary Butler, from Chelmsford in Essex, are believed to have been on a sightseeing tour at the time of the crash, along with five other passengers.
19 July 2004
British soldier dies in Basrah helicopter crash
A British soldier has died after an RAF helicopter crashed in southern Iraq today. The MoD confirmed that the soldier was killed in "an accident" involving an RAF Puma helicopter at Basrah International Airport. Two other British military personnel were injured during the incident.
British soldier dies in Basrah helicopter crash
A British soldier has died after an RAF helicopter crashed in southern Iraq today. The MoD confirmed that the soldier was killed in "an accident" involving an RAF Puma helicopter at Basrah International Airport. Two other British military personnel were injured during the incident.
21 September 2010
Afghan Helicopter Crash Claims Nine
A helicopter crash in the south of Afghanistan, has claimed the lives of nine troops. NATO reported that four others were injured, including two NATO troops, a US civilian and an Afghan soldier. It is believed that none of the dead were British, however the nationalities of the dead have not yet been officially confirmed.
Afghan Helicopter Crash Claims Nine
A helicopter crash in the south of Afghanistan, has claimed the lives of nine troops. NATO reported that four others were injured, including two NATO troops, a US civilian and an Afghan soldier. It is believed that none of the dead were British, however the nationalities of the dead have not yet been officially confirmed.
08 July 2009
British Serviceman Killed In Afghan Blast
A British soldier has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed. The serviceman, from the Light Dragoons, died in a blast near Gereshk in Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan, on Tuesday night. The MoD said next of kin have been informed.
British Serviceman Killed In Afghan Blast
A British soldier has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed. The serviceman, from the Light Dragoons, died in a blast near Gereshk in Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan, on Tuesday night. The MoD said next of kin have been informed.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
