HC Deb 03 February 1994 vol 236 cc897-8W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the circumstances of the accident involving a Royal Air Force Tornado F3 aircraft in County Durham on 21 October 1993.

Mr. Hanley

The aircraft, on a routine training sortie flying at 2,000 ft and 300 knots, suffered a major fuselage fuel leak and an associated engine flame-out. Shortly afterwards, the aircraft caught fire. Both crew members ejected safely. The cause of the accident is currently being investigated by a RAF board of inquiry and a summary of its findings will be produced in the normal way. A copy of the summary will be placed in the Library of the House.