Inquest reveals MoD knew about Hercules failings
Hercules planes lacked vital safety foam
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Tuesday, 30, Sep 2008 07:59
Officials at the Ministry of Defence were aware a crashed Hercules plane was missing a vital safety feature, an inquest has heard.
Wiltshire coroner David Masters heard today that RAF staff were aware of the problem years before the 2005 crash which he was investigating, in which ten service personnel died.
An explosive-suppressant foam (ESF) used to prevent fuel tanks exploding if they are hit was not in use when the Hercules on which one solider and nine RAF men were flying in January 2005 crashed.
It had been hit by enemy fire and a fuel tank exploded, resulting in the plane crashing and the deaths of all those aboard.
Today it emerged the MoD had recommended all Hercules be fitted with the ESF in reports published in 2002 and 2003.
The revelation only leaves more questions unanswered, Mr Masters said. He told the inquest at Trowbridge town hall: "There currently remains a black hole between the making of the… recommendations in January 2002 and what action was or was not taken in relation to them."
An MoD spokesperson said the department "very much regrets" not having located the documents earlier.
"As soon as we found these additional documents we supplied copies to the coroner immediately. It would be inappropriate to comment further on these documents while the Inquest is in session."
The MoD has subsequently fitted all its Hercules aircraft operating in Iraq or Afghanistan with ESF.