§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what inquiry was held into the near-miss incident 781W on 19 August between an Icelandair Boeing 737 and two United States Air Force F15 aircraft off the Humberside coast; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SoamesInvestigation of the air traffic control radar recordings showed that standard separation always existed between the aircraft in question, and that there had been no possibility of them colliding. In accordance with normal procedures, the reporting pilot was informed of this and asked if he still wished to file an airmiss. He subsequently withdrew his airmiss report.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the report of the investigation into a near-miss incident involving a Spanish airliner and two RAF Tornados near Gibraltar on 29 January 1992.
§ Mr. SoamesIncidents which occur in Spanish airspace are matters for investigation by the Spanish authorities. My Department has not received any report on this occurrence.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the report of the inquiry into the RAF Puma wirestrike incident near Kinlochmoidart on 18 May.
§ Mr. SoamesThe incident referred to occurred during a routine troop deployment exercise. The RAF Puma sustained minor damage to the main rotor blades as a result of a wirestrike. Such minor incidents are investigated by a unit inquiry. It is not my Department's practice to place copies of unit inquiries in the Library of the House.