62. Air Commodore Harveyasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he has received the findings of the inquiry instituted by the United States Air Force into the crash of the American fighter at St. Peter's in Thanet on 27th April; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. WardA report about the accident at St. Peter's on 27th April has now been received from the Board of Inquiry and Assistance assembled by the Inspector General of the United States Air Force. This report is largely an amplification of the information in the letter from General McConnell, which I gave to the House in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Thanet (Mr. Carson) on 1st May. I understand that, pending further technical investigation, the United States Air Force Aircraft Accident Investigation Board has not yet reached any final conclusions.
The United States Air Force authorities have emphasised that all possible operational and technical precautions are being taken to avoid conditions which might cause accidents. They are making a special daily examination of all F.84 aircraft in this country.