HC Deb 08 December 1999 vol 340 cc557-8W
Mr. Martin Bell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the incidents of uncommanded flying control movements in helicopters reported by RAF pilots, broken down by helicopter type since 1994. [101652]

Mr. Spellar

Uncommanded movements are defined as unusual movement of flying controls or rotors that are not caused by pilot inputs. These include those unusual movements found during pre-flight checks.

The table lists the incidents of uncommanded flying control movements in helicopters reported by RAF pilots, broken down by helicopter type since 1994.

Uncommanded flying control movements
Year Occurrences
Chinook
1994 6
1995 5
1996 6
1997 5
1998 7
1999 6
Total 35
Gazelle
1994 1
1995 1
Total 2
Griffin
1997 2
1998 3
1999 1
Total 6

Uncommanded flying control movements
Year Occurrences
Puma
1994 8
1995 9
1996 3
1997 2
1998 4
1999 6
Total 32
Sea King
1994 8
1995 10
1996 6
1997 5
1998 3
1999 3
Total 35
Wessex
1994 17
1995 10
1996 15
1997 5
1998 6
1999 3
Total 56
Helicopter Total 166

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