§ 6. Mr. Hicksasked the Minister of State for Defence if he has received the report of the board of inquiry following the accident involving a low-flying aircraft at Caradon Hill, Liskeard, on 27th March 1973; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. KershawYes, Sir. The board of inquiry found that the main cause of the accident at Caradon Hill on 27th March 1973 was the pilot's failure to maintain the separation from cloud required by regulations, at a time when he had also formed a mistaken impression of his position. Suggestions were made for the improvement of certain minor details of flight planning procedures and these are being followed up.
§ Mr. HicksI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Now that he has received the report, will he undertake to look very carefully indeed at the possibility of prohibiting aircraft from low flying in the immediate vicinity of Caradon Hill because of the physical obstacle involved?
§ Mr. KershawAs I have said, the pilot was off course. Normally there should not be any danger from Caradon Hill because a pilot would not pass close enough to it. I do not think that alteration in the flight path of low-flying aircraft is necessary in that area.