§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the air crash at Boscombe Down airfield on the evening of 26 September.
§ Mr. SoamesI am aware of a press report of such an incident. Staff at Boscombe Down have confirmed, however, that there was no crash at the unit on that date or, indeed, so far this year. The only flying which took place that night was the launch of two Royal Navy Sea King helicopters in support of an exercise.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many man hours were spent on repairs to Tornado ZA611 following its accident in December 1986; and on what dates the aircraft has been flown since its accident.
§ Mr. SoamesTornado ZA611 was repaired in industry, and the details of the contract covering the repair remain commercially confidential. Since its accident, the aircraft was flown on 19, 22 and 28 January 1993. The aircraft has since been held in storage pending its entry into a modification programme, after which it will return to active service.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the date and circumstances of the accident to Tornado F.3 serial number carried out on the aircraft since its accident, and by which unit; what is the estimated additional number of man hours required to complete repairs to the aircraft; and what is the estimated total cost of restoring the aircraft to front line service following its accident.
§ Mr. SoamesTornado F3 ZE250 was damaged on 27 March 1992 during engine ground runs. To date, RAF tradesman have expended 9,025 man hours on the repair, and it is estimated that a further 7,090 man hours will be required before the aircraft can be restored to service. The labour costs of returning the aircraft to service are estimated at approximately £800,000. The cost of spares and materials, which have been provided from existing stocks, could be provided only at disproportionate cost.