HC Deb 22 June 1999 vol 333 cc326-7W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the incidences of failure of FADEC systems which have caused safety-critical accidents in Chinook helicopters. [86445]

Mr. Doug Henderson

Since the Chinook's introduction into service, there have been no accidents caused by malfunction of the FADEC units.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will assess theComputer Weekly investigation report into the Chinook helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre, a copy of which has been supplied to him; and if he will make a statement. [86444]

Mr. Doug Henderson

Although I have yet to receive an official copy of the report fromComputer Weekly themselves, my officials have obtained a copy of the document from the internet and are analysing its content. Once this work is complete, I will write to the hon. Member with our findings and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent review his Department has undertaken of the FADEC software fitted to Chinook helicopters; and if he will make a statement. [86378]

Mr. Doug Henderson

FADEC, like any other in-service component, is subject to regular review to ensure it remains reliable and supportable throughout its service life. As a result of this process, MOD has recently initiated a software update which incorporates a number of minor changes in order to maintain the software's long-term supportability.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports have been(a) made and (b) assessed by his Department relating to the computer FADEC used on Chinooks since Air Vice Marshall Jenner's statement to the Defence Committee last year; and if he will make a statement. [86438]

Mr. Doug Henderson

Since the HCDC evidence session in March last year, there have been no reports from RAF personnel expressing flight safety concerns over FADEC.

Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what grounds his Department took legal proceedings against Textron Lycoming in respect of the FADEC computer system. [86362]

Mr. Doug Henderson

MOD took legal action against Boeing Helicopters and Textron Lycoming who were both responsible for an engine overspeed during ground testing of a pre-production FADEC system at the Boeing facility in Wilmington, Delaware which resulted in damage to the MOD owned Chinook helicopter on which the FADEC had been fitted. Following the Wilmington incident, the FADEC software was redesigned before it was introduced on to the Chinook Mk2 and it was therefore of a very different standard from that installed on ZD576 which crashed on the Mull of Kintyre.

Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received requesting the reopening of the inquiry into the loss of the RAF Chinook on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994; and if he will make a statement. [86393]

Mr. Doug Henderson

Since the beginning of this year, there has been a representation from the Lord Chalfont and, following some recent media coverage, my officials have also received a handful of letters from members of the public.

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