HC Deb 04 July 1968 vol 767 cc1694-6
Mr. Burden (by Private Notice)

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement regarding the crash at London Airport yesterday afternoon of an Ambassador aircraft of B.K.S. Airlines resulting in the death of six people.

The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. William Rodgers)

An Ambassador aircraft operated by B.K.S., and engaged in flying horses and grooms from Deauville to London Airport, crashed into the side of the new North-East Face Building at 17.28 hours yesterday, killing the three crew members and three of the passengers. The remaining two passengers were injured and are in hospital. In addition, four airport employees were injured and a further 11 members of B.E.A. staff are being treated for shock. All the horses were killed as a result of the accident.

The weather was fine and sunny and the aircraft made a normal approach to land until it was about 200 feet above the area of the airport boundary. A few seconds afterwards the port wing dropped and inspection of the airfield shows that the port wing tip and later the port main wheel touched the grass for a distance of about 200 feet. The aircraft then became airborne again, banking to the left and with the nose rising, travelling straight towards the North-East Face Building.

Whilst steeply banked, the port wing and undercarriage struck two B.E.A. Tridents parked on the apron, which resulted in the port wing of the Ambassador being torn off and severe damage to the two Tridents—one may be a write-off. The Ambassador rolled over on its back and crashed into the ground floor of the North-East Face Building.

The aircraft caught fire immediately upon impact with the first Trident and separate fires in the main wreckage, the severed wing and in a damaged Trident had to be dealt with.

The Chief Inspector of Accidents instituted an investigation immediately.

May I express sympathy with the relations and friends of those who lost their lives and wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured.

Mr. Burden

I am sure that every hon. Member wishes to associate himself with the Minister's remarks about those who lost their lives or were injured.

We shall await the result of the investigation to see whether there is any evidence of a mechanical fault or whether, perhaps, the horses which were in the aircraft for some reason or another broke away or were partly responsible for the crash.

I am sure that the Minister will agree that the House should convey to the airport police and fire services praise for the remarkable speed and efficiency with which they appeared at the scene of the crash.

Mr. Rodgers

I am very glad to do that. I understand that the fire and crash services were alerted before the plane finally crashed. Although this is the wrong time, as the hon. Member will agree, to speculate on the causes of the accident, in view of some of the reports perhaps the House would like to know that one of the survivors said that the horses were calm and placid at all times.

Mr. Rankin

Is my hon. Friend aware that in my view this disaster pinpoints two major problems? The first is the congested nature of Heathrow and the importance of giving first priority to whatever further development has to be undertaken at that airport. The second is that time is no longer on our side with regard to a decision on a third London airport.

Mr. Rodgers

It is much too soon to draw any conclusions about what were the reasons for the crash, but I note the burden of my hon. Friend's remarks.

Mr. Fortescue

May I add the sympathy of hon. Members on this side of the House to that expressed by the Minister? The hazards to passengers and crew of planes flying with unboxed live animals are obviously much greater than those to passengers on normal passenger flights. Would the Minister tell us whether there are any special safety regulations covering these flights and, if not, whether he considers that such regulations should be introduced?

Mr. Rodgers

Yes, Sir. I am sure that when the investigation has been completed, questions of this kind will be considered. Perhaps I should add that I understand that the aircraft was specially modified for the carriage of horses and that there is no evidence that the horses in any way contributed to the disaster.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Would the Minister bear in mind that the design layout of London Airport necessitates all activities being based on the centre of the airport? In view of the rapid growth of activities towards the runways, will be ask the airport authorities to review the parking of aircraft and the safety margins between the runways and these activities?

Mr. Rodgers

I appreciate the point that the hon. Gentleman made. I believe that my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Govan (Mr. Rankin) had the same question in mind. I assure the House that the matter will certainly be looked into.