HC Deb 07 June 1988 vol 134 cc541-2W
Mr. Rogers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the overall rate of major flying accidents in the Royal Air Force, expressed as a percentage of flying hours, for each year since 1980;

(2) what are the annual totals of serious flying accidents to United Kingdom military aircraft for each year since 1980;

(3) how many aircrew have been injured in Royal Air Force Tornado accidents since 1980;

(4) how many aircrew have been killed in Royal Air Force Tornado accidents since 1980;

(5) how many Royal Air Force Tornados have been seriously damaged in flying accidents since 1980;

(6) how many Royal Air Force Tornados have been destroyed in flying accidents since 1980.

Mr. Freeman

I refer the hon. Member to the annual Statements on the Defence Estimates which, since 1980, have published relevant information about all accidents to aircraft of the three Services which have involved loss of, or serious damage to the aircraft or which have resulted in fatalities or serious injuries. The most recently published information is in Cm. 344-II, tables 5.8 and 5.9.

Mr. Rogers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many serious accidents involving Royal Air Force Tornados have occurred during low-flying operations since 1980 in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) the Federal Republic of Germany and (c) other locations.

Mr. Freeman

Since entering service with the Royal Air Force in 1980, major accidents to Tornado aircraft during low-flying operations have been as follows:

Number
United Kingdom and surrounding waters 6
Federal Republic of Germany 4
United States of America 1