§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the conclusions and recommendations of the inquiry into the fatal crash of a Hawk aircraft over Cumbria in October 1999; what steps his Department is taking to address the conclusions of the inquiry; at what cost; and if he will make a statement. [149897]
§ Dr. MoonieThe RAF board of inquiry into this accident concluded that the aircraft deviated from a safe flight path and hit the ground.
The board recommended that consideration should be given to the fitting of either a ground proximity warning system (GPWS) or a radar altimeter (RADALT) to the Hawk fleet. Due to compatibility difficulties with the existing avionics and the anticipated remaining life of the Hawk fleet, the fitting of a GPWS is not being pursued. However, the feasibility of fitting RADALT to the fleet is being explored as a matter of urgency. The board also recommended that a voice channel should be incorporated in the Hawk accident data recorder (ADR) and this is currently being investigated.
The costs associated with the fitting of RADALT or a voice channel in the ADR have not yet been determined.
A further minor recommendation, with no safety implications, concerned a revision to post-crash management procedures. This is being done, with no additional costs.