HC Deb 23 April 2001 vol 367 c99W
Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 19 March 2001,Official Report, column 86W, on what evidence he based his statement that RAF Chinook ZD576' s engines were working right up until impact. [158215]

Mr. Spellar

This statement was based on the report of the technical investigation carried out by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch following the accident, which saidThe engines sustained generally moderate impact and fire damage. Strip examination indicated that both were running at high speed with turbines hot at the time of impact, and revealed no signs of pre-impact failure or malfunction that could have affected the operation of either engine.

Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps the Air Accident Investigation Branch took to verify independently information provided by Textron Lycoming during their investigation into the loss of RAF Chinook ZD576. [158184]

Location Unit Missiles fired Date
Castlemartin Royal School of Artillery, Larkhill 6 16 February 2000
Otterburn 101 (V) Regiment Royal Artillery 6 25 November 2000
Castlemartin Royal School of Artillery, Larkhill 6 21 February 2001

In addition 750 reduced range practice rockets were fired at the above ranges.