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28/10/2009
Failures Highlighted In Nimrod Report
An independent report into the fatal explosion of an RAF Nimrod in 2006 has concluded that the crash was preventable and highlighted a number of failures.
The report, which was conducted by lawyer Charles Haddon-Cave, was hugely critical of the Ministry of Defence and cited a "failure of culture, leadership and priorities" as leading to the crash in which fourteen crewman were killed.
The Nimrod exploded in mid-air near Kandahar, following air-to-air refuelling. Leaking fuel made contact with a hot air pipe, resulting in the explosion.
Among the failures cited in the report were a military safety review of the entire Nimrod fleet in 2005, which was described as a "lamentable job" which had missed key dangers, while design flaws, introduced at three stages between 1969 and 1989, were cited as having played a "crucial part" in the crash.
Mr Haddon-Cave has written the victims' families.
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth told the Commons today that two RAF officers who were criticsed in the report had now been moved to staff posts and that the RAF were now considering it any "further action" would be taken against them.
The Ministry of Defence has admitted negligence in relation to the crash. Mr Ainsworth said that a number of safety measures had been implemented while the report was being carried, including the cessation of air-to-air refuelling. He has apologised to the victims' families.
However, Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox said the report was a "formidable indictment", describing it as "genuinely shocking", while Liberal Democrat defence spokesperson Nick Harvey described it as a "tragic case of an accident that could have been avoided".
(KMcA/BMcc)
The report, which was conducted by lawyer Charles Haddon-Cave, was hugely critical of the Ministry of Defence and cited a "failure of culture, leadership and priorities" as leading to the crash in which fourteen crewman were killed.
The Nimrod exploded in mid-air near Kandahar, following air-to-air refuelling. Leaking fuel made contact with a hot air pipe, resulting in the explosion.
Among the failures cited in the report were a military safety review of the entire Nimrod fleet in 2005, which was described as a "lamentable job" which had missed key dangers, while design flaws, introduced at three stages between 1969 and 1989, were cited as having played a "crucial part" in the crash.
Mr Haddon-Cave has written the victims' families.
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth told the Commons today that two RAF officers who were criticsed in the report had now been moved to staff posts and that the RAF were now considering it any "further action" would be taken against them.
The Ministry of Defence has admitted negligence in relation to the crash. Mr Ainsworth said that a number of safety measures had been implemented while the report was being carried, including the cessation of air-to-air refuelling. He has apologised to the victims' families.
However, Shadow Defence Secretary Liam Fox said the report was a "formidable indictment", describing it as "genuinely shocking", while Liberal Democrat defence spokesperson Nick Harvey described it as a "tragic case of an accident that could have been avoided".
(KMcA/BMcc)
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