§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the Civil Aviation Authority's investigations into the incidents on 7 December 1992 when a carbon aerial from an aircraft crashed into a house at Watchfield, Oxfordshire; and what compensation is available to the property owner.
§ Mr. NorrisThere was no such incident on 7 December. However, at approximately 11.30 am on 25 November 1992 an object, later identified as a static wick, which discharges static electricity from the wings of aircraft, fell through the bathroom roof of a property in Watchfield, Oxfordshire. Although it caused a two inch hole in the roof no one was injured.
On being informed, the Civil Aviation Authority initiated an investigation into the incident. Despite a thorough investigation, they were unable to identify the aircraft from which the object had fallen. Stringent design and maintenance requirements for United Kingdom aircraft ensure that incidents such as this are rare. 63W However, when they do occur the Civil Aviation Act 1982 clearly places the legal liability upon the aircraft operator to indemnify the third party who suffers a material loss or damage. As it has not proven possible to indentify the aircraft operator involved, the CAA cannot take the matter any further.