§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the extent of the damage to the RAF Buccaneer which made an emergency landing at Stornoway airport on 26 June 1989 following a birdstrike; where the birdstrike occurred and at what height the aircraft was flying at the time; which unit repaired the aircraft; and on what date the aircraft was flown out from Stornoway after repair.
§ Mr. NeubertThe Buccaneer XW 543 was struck by a single fulmar bird while flying at 100 ft above sea level, 100 nautical miles north west of Stornoway, on 26 June 1989. The aircraft landed at Stornoway airport following a satisfactory handling check by the pilot. Ground personnel from RAF Lossiemouth assessed the damage and found a crack in the windscreen quarter-light, a dented right engine intake and skin damage to the fairing between the intake and the fuselage. The aircraft was considered in a serviceable condition to fly back to RAF Lossiemouth for repair, and left Stornoway on 27 June 1989. At RAF Lossiemouth, the aircraft servicing flight replaced the damaged quarter-light and engine intake and repaired the fuselage skin and its supporting frames.