HC Deb 26 July 2000 vol 354 cc675-6W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Accident Investigations Branch inspector investigating the fatal crash of Chinook ZD576 on 2 June was able to determine that the SuperTANS navigational equipment was (a) switched on after impact and (b) functioning prior to impact; and if he will make a statement. [131795]

Mr. Spellar

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch team that carried out the independent technical investigation for the RAF Board of Inquiry into the Mull of Kintyre accident reported that the SuperTANS navigation unit recovered from the cockpit wreckage was slightly fire scorched but with little apparent impact damage. The On/Off switch was found in the Off position. However, subsequent examination by the manufacturer clearly showed the unit had been operating until impact, and it appeared that the switch position had been altered by the effect of the impact.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what independent analysis was made of the SuperTANS navigation equipment from the wreckage of RAF Chinook ZD576; and if he will make a statement. [131794]

Mr. Spellar

As part of the technical investigation after the Mull of Kintyre accident, a detailed investigation of the SuperTANS navigation unit was carried out by the manufacturer, RACAL Avionics Ltd., under the direction of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch. Only the manufacturer had the necessary expertise to interrogate this equipment.