§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the accident 345W involving Royal Air Force Tornado serial number ZD743 in August 1995; and what is the current status of the aircraft. [34648]
§ Mr. SoamesRAF Tornado ZD743 is undergoing repair following damage to the underside of the fuselage when landing at RAF Bruggen on 9 March 1995.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the accident involving Royal Air Force Harrier serial number ZG510 at Gioia del Colle, Italy; and what is the current status of the aircraft. [34652]
§ Mr. SoamesSome damage to sensors in the nose area and canopy of RAF Harrier ZG510 was discovered after landing at Gioia del Colle on 7 August 1995. The equipment was repaired and the aircraft returned to service.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the accident involving a Royal Air Force Wessex helicopter at Sennybridge training area in autumn 1995; and what is the current status of the aircraft. [34654]
§ Mr. SoamesA RAF Wessex was involved in a landing incident at Sennybridge on 19 October 1995 as a result of an uncommanded yaw. The aircraft landed safely but heavily, causing the tailcone skin to tear. Following an engineering investigation, the damage was repaired and the aircraft returned to service.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of repairing Royal Navy Sea Harrier serial number XZ440 following its accident in October 1989; and what is the current status of the aircraft. [34646]
§ Mr. SoamesThe cost of repairing Royal Navy Sea Harrier XZ440 was some £1.5 million. The aircraft is currently undergoing conversion from FRS Mk1 to FA Mk2 standard. Once the avionic and equipment installation programme is complete, the aircraft will be returned to service.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the accident involving Royal Air Force Jaguar serial number XX974; and what is the current status of the aircraft. [34650]
§ Mr. SoamesA search of RAF flight safety records from the beginning of 1995 has revealed two occurrences of a technical nature involving RAF Jaguar XX974, none of which has resulted in any aircraft damage. The aircraft is still in service.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the accident involving Royal Air Force Tornado serial number ZA365 during 1995; and what is the current status of the aircraft. [34645]
§ Mr. SoamesA search of RAF flight safety records has revealed no accident or incident involving RAF Tornado ZA365 during 1995. A bird struck the fuselage of the aircraft during a training sortie over the Moray Firth on 23 June 1994. The damage to the panel and fuselage requires complex repair work. The aircraft has not yet returned to service.
346W
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the accident involving Royal Air Force Chinook serial number ZA681; and what is the current status of the aircraft. [34649]
§ Mr. SoamesA bird struck the nose and windscreen area of RAF Chinook ZA681 during a training sortie from RAF Wittering to RAF Odiham on 5 December 1994. There was no damage to the aircraft, which is still in service.
§ Mr.RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the accident involving a Royal Air Force Tornado at Bruggen on 23 February; and what is the current status of the aircraft. [34653]
§ Mr. SoamesA RAF Tornado suffered suspected gearbox failure and subsequent fire shortly after taking off from RAF Bruggen on 23 February 1996. The aircraft landed safely and the fire was extinguished. The aircraft is being examined and the extent of damage has yet to be formally assessed.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of repairing Tornado serial number ZD844; and what are the estimated dates of completion of repairs and return of the aircraft to service. [34651]
§ Mr. SoamesThe estimated cost of repairing Tornado ZD844 is some £430,000. The forecast date for completion of the structural repairs is July 1997. Ii is expected that ZD844 will re-enter service following a major servicing later that year.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current damage and repair status of Royal Air Force Jaguar serial number XZ396. [34647]
§ Mr. SoamesJaguar XZ396 is a serviceable aircraft currently flying with a squadron based at RAF Coltishall. The aircraft has a small dent in the rear fuselage. The damage does not impair the structural integrity of the aircraft and repair has been deferred until the next scheduled major maintenance.