HC Deb 28 February 2000 vol 345 c37W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the causes of the accidents involving(a) a Chinook HC2 in Oman in 1999, (b) an RAF Harrier GR7 in Coldstream in 1999, (c) an RAF Jaguar GR1 in Moray Firth in 1999 and (d) an RAF Tornado F3 in Torness in 1999; what steps have been taken since with regard to each case; and if he will make a statement. [111460]

Dr. Moonie

Each of these RAF aircraft accidents is the subject of an ongoing RAF Board of Inquiry. I am unable to comment at this stage about the cause of any of these accidents.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the level of the damage to(a) the Tornado F3 that crashed in Torness in 1999, (b) the RAF Jaguar GR1 which crashed in Moray Firth in 1999, (c) the RAF Harrier GR7 which crashed in Coldstream in 1999 and (d) the Chinook HC2 which crashed in Oman in 1999; what was the cost of the damage in each case; and if he will make a statement. [111461]

Dr. Moonie

In the first three of these accidents, the aircraft was destroyed beyond economic repair. The approximate cost of the aircraft involved was as follows:

  1. (a) Tornado F3 that crashed near Torness power station: £25 million
  2. (b) Jaguar GR1 that crashed in the Moray Firth: £10 million
  3. (c) Harrier GR7 that crashed in Coldstream: £16 million

The Chinook HC2 that crashed in Oman is repairable, but the extent of the damage is still being surveyed.