§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence what checks have been made on the stabilator horns of the RAF Phantom fighters, following the recent discovery of cracks in the horns of a United States Air Force Phantom; whether flight restrictions were imposed on the RAF aircraft in line with those imposed by the United States Air Force; how many RAF aircraft were found to need replacement stabilators; and when the replacement will be completed.
§ Mr. WellbelovedThe stabilator horns in the RN and RAF Phantoms were removed and checked in August 1975 and a precautionary modification programme put into effect. The horns in all but 23 aircraft have been or are now being modified; work on RAF Phantoms should be completed in 1978 and on RN aircraft before they are transferred to the RAF in 1979. No flight restrictions have had to be imposed and no accidents to RN or RAF Phantoms have been attributed to stabilator horn failure.