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RAF Nimrod's last moments heard RAF Nimrod's last moments heard
(about 1 hour later)
The families of 14 servicemen who were killed when their RAF Nimrod crashed in Afghanistan have heard a recording of the plane's last moments.The families of 14 servicemen who were killed when their RAF Nimrod crashed in Afghanistan have heard a recording of the plane's last moments.
Oxford Coroner's Court was emptied so they could hear the cockpit recording in private.Oxford Coroner's Court was emptied so they could hear the cockpit recording in private.
The 37-year-old reconnaissance plane exploded just minutes after undergoing air-to-air refuelling near Kandahar on 2 September 2006, killing all on board.The 37-year-old reconnaissance plane exploded just minutes after undergoing air-to-air refuelling near Kandahar on 2 September 2006, killing all on board.
The Nimrod and most of the crew had been based at RAF Kinloss, in Moray.The Nimrod and most of the crew had been based at RAF Kinloss, in Moray.
'Very distressing''Very distressing'
BBC News defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the recording contained the very last moments as the crew realised fire had broken out, sent a mayday signal and tried to land.BBC News defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the recording contained the very last moments as the crew realised fire had broken out, sent a mayday signal and tried to land.
Two minutes after the recording finished, the plane crashed.Two minutes after the recording finished, the plane crashed.
She said it was "very emotional, very distressing" for the families and many were crying as they left the courtroom.She said it was "very emotional, very distressing" for the families and many were crying as they left the courtroom.
RAF pathologist, Wing Commander Graeme Maidment, said the men died from multiple injuries, probably caused by the aircraft's impact with the ground and not the mid-air explosion.RAF pathologist, Wing Commander Graeme Maidment, said the men died from multiple injuries, probably caused by the aircraft's impact with the ground and not the mid-air explosion.
He also apologised to the families for any additional distress that may have been caused by DNA complications which initially meant some victims were wrongly identified.He also apologised to the families for any additional distress that may have been caused by DNA complications which initially meant some victims were wrongly identified.
The deaths of the servicemen marked the heaviest loss of life to be suffered by British forces in a single incident since the Falklands War.The deaths of the servicemen marked the heaviest loss of life to be suffered by British forces in a single incident since the Falklands War.
It was the fourth Nimrod crash in 36 years of operations.It was the fourth Nimrod crash in 36 years of operations.
Most of the men were based at RAF Kinloss in ScotlandEnlarge Image
The victims' families viewed a similar plane on Tuesday as part of their preparation for the inquest.The victims' families viewed a similar plane on Tuesday as part of their preparation for the inquest.
An RAF Board of Inquiry (BoI) report into the incident concluded that ageing components and a lack of modern fire suppressants were among the "contributory factors" leading to the accident.An RAF Board of Inquiry (BoI) report into the incident concluded that ageing components and a lack of modern fire suppressants were among the "contributory factors" leading to the accident.
The BoI report said fuel probably escaped during air-to-air refuelling into a bay on the starboard side of the aircraft, call sign XV230, either because of a leaking fuel coupling or an overflowing fuel tank.The BoI report said fuel probably escaped during air-to-air refuelling into a bay on the starboard side of the aircraft, call sign XV230, either because of a leaking fuel coupling or an overflowing fuel tank.
Most of the men were based at RAF Kinloss in ScotlandEnlarge Image
The fuel probably caught fire when it made contact with hot air pipes - through a gap in insulation - which can reach temperatures of 400C.The fuel probably caught fire when it made contact with hot air pipes - through a gap in insulation - which can reach temperatures of 400C.
The crew initially aimed to land at the Kandahar airbase, but with the plane on fire and rapidly losing pressure, witnesses reported an explosion within six minutes of the first alarm.The crew initially aimed to land at the Kandahar airbase, but with the plane on fire and rapidly losing pressure, witnesses reported an explosion within six minutes of the first alarm.
HOW THE NIMROD CRASHED 1. Nimrod refuels in mid-air2. Possible fuel over-flow from number one tank3. Second possible source of leak is pipe couplings behind number seven tank4. Leaked fuel contacts hot pipe and ignites5. Fire and smoke alarms triggered in bomb bay and underfloor by sensitive wiring
Defence Secretary Des Browne and Chief of Air Staff Sir Glenn Torpy have both previously apologised to the families of the crash victims.Defence Secretary Des Browne and Chief of Air Staff Sir Glenn Torpy have both previously apologised to the families of the crash victims.
But the Ministry of Defence has defended the Nimrod fleet's safety record against accusations of problems with fuel leaks and questions over cost cutting.But the Ministry of Defence has defended the Nimrod fleet's safety record against accusations of problems with fuel leaks and questions over cost cutting.
The inquest is being presided over by Oxfordshire assistant deputy coroner Andrew Walker.The inquest is being presided over by Oxfordshire assistant deputy coroner Andrew Walker.
The 12 RAF personnel killed were Flight Lieutenant Steven Johnson, 38, from Collingham, Nottinghamshire, Flt Lt Leigh Anthony Mitchelmore, 28, from Bournemouth, Dorset, Flt Lt Gareth Rodney Nicholas, 40, from Redruth, Cornwall, Flt Lt Allan James Squires, 39, from Clatterbridge, Merseyside, Flt Lt Steven Swarbrick, 28, from Liverpool.
Flight Sergeant Gary Wayne Andrews, 48, from Tankerton, Kent, Flt Sgt Stephen Beattie, 42, from Dundee, Flt Sgt Gerard Martin Bell, 48, from Newport, Shropshire, and Flt Sgt Adrian Davies, 49, from Amersham, Buckinghamshire, Sergeant Benjamin James Knight, 25, from Bridgewater, Sgt John Joseph Langton, 29,from Liverpool and Sgt Gary Paul Quilliam, 42, from Manchester.
Lance Corporal Oliver Simon Dicketts, of the Parachute Regiment, from Wadhurst and Royal Marine Joseph David Windall, 22, from Hazlemere also died.