HC Deb 22 June 1994 vol 245 cc211-2W
Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the Royal Air Force rules governing flight by helicopters not equipped for instrument flying into areas where the forecast or actual weather conditions are below visual flight rules minima.

Mr. Hanley

All RAF helicopters are equipped for instrument flying.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the Chinook HC2 helicopter received full clearance from the controller aircraft for flight in instrument meteorological conditions.

Mr. Hanley

CA Release for the Chinook He Mk II aircraft type to fly in instrument meteorological conditions was issued on 9 November 1993.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the forecast weather conditions in the vicinity of Cape Nero, Italy, on 9 September 1993 as provided to the crew of the Royal Air Force Gazelle helicopter which crashed on that date.

Mr. Hanley

The weather forecast for the route between Forsinone, Italy and Dijon, France indicated a general cloud base of 2,000 ft with a visibility of 7 to 10 km reducing to 4 km in rain and mist with a small probability of thunderstorms.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the expected publication date of the report of the investigation into the collision between a Royal Air Force Tornado and a civilian helicopter over Cumbria on 23 June 1993.

Mr. Hanley

The air accident investigation branch of the Department of Transport published its report of this collision on 7 June 1994. A summary of the RAF board of inquiry will be published shortly and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the administrative action taken against the crew of the Gazelle helicopter which crashed on 9 September 1993.

Mr. Hanley

It is not my Department's policy to reveal details of administrative action taken against RAF personnel involved in flying incidents, although action is taken wherever it is considered appropriate.