HC Deb 31 January 1997 vol 289 cc439-40W
Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will establish a judicial inquiry into the crash of Flight Zulu Delta 576 on the Mull of Kintyre. [13799]

Mr. Soames

An extremely thorough investigation into this tragic accident has already been carried out by RAF experts and civilian specialists from the air accidents investigation branch, with assistance from the manufacturers of the aircraft and its systems. All possible causes were exhaustively examined, including that of some malfunction in the aircraft's systems. The investigation concluded that the accident was caused by the two pilots, who wrongly continued to fly their aircraft towards the high ground of the Mull of Kintyre below a safe altitude in unsuitable weather. No new evidence has emerged subsequently which would cause us to doubt the accuracy of this conclusion. My right hon. Friend does not believe that there would be any purpose in setting up a judicial inquiry.