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Red Arrows death: Ejection seat firm fined £1.1m Red Arrows death: Ejection seat firm fined £1.1m
(35 minutes later)
An ejection seat manufacturer prosecuted over the death of a Red Arrows pilot thrown from his jet has been fined £1.1m.An ejection seat manufacturer prosecuted over the death of a Red Arrows pilot thrown from his jet has been fined £1.1m.
Flt Lt Sean Cunningham, 35, was ejected while conducting pre-flight safety checks at RAF Scampton in 2011.Flt Lt Sean Cunningham, 35, was ejected while conducting pre-flight safety checks at RAF Scampton in 2011.
The parachute on the seat did not then deploy and the airman was fatally injured.The parachute on the seat did not then deploy and the airman was fatally injured.
Martin-Baker Aircraft Ltd previously admitted to breaching safety laws at Lincoln Crown Court.Martin-Baker Aircraft Ltd previously admitted to breaching safety laws at Lincoln Crown Court.
Sentencing the company, Mrs Justice Carr said it was "an entirely preventable tragedy".Sentencing the company, Mrs Justice Carr said it was "an entirely preventable tragedy".
"A significant number of pilots, and also potential passengers, were exposed to the risk of harm over a lengthy period," she added."A significant number of pilots, and also potential passengers, were exposed to the risk of harm over a lengthy period," she added.
"Here the risk of harm was of the highest level - death.""Here the risk of harm was of the highest level - death."
Reading a victim impact statement on behalf of Flt Lt Cunningham's family, the judge said: "Sean's two biggest fears in life were being ejected from an aircraft and the injuries that would be sustained, and dying at a young age.Reading a victim impact statement on behalf of Flt Lt Cunningham's family, the judge said: "Sean's two biggest fears in life were being ejected from an aircraft and the injuries that would be sustained, and dying at a young age.
"He was to tragically experience both of these."He was to tragically experience both of these.
"He was the perfect son and brother and the pride in him from the family is justifiably immense.""He was the perfect son and brother and the pride in him from the family is justifiably immense."
At a previous hearing, prosecutor Rex Tedd QC said there was a risk "to many pilots over a lengthy period".At a previous hearing, prosecutor Rex Tedd QC said there was a risk "to many pilots over a lengthy period".
"If the pilot was ejected from the Hawk aircraft, two shackles would not release from one another and would jam together and the main parachute would not deploy," he added."If the pilot was ejected from the Hawk aircraft, two shackles would not release from one another and would jam together and the main parachute would not deploy," he added.
"The pilot would be several hundred feet in the air and there could only be one result of that, and that is the pilot's death.""The pilot would be several hundred feet in the air and there could only be one result of that, and that is the pilot's death."
The court previously heard an assessment by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) was that such an incident would happen only once in more than 100 years.The court previously heard an assessment by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) was that such an incident would happen only once in more than 100 years.
It was also told the firm had a "good system" in place and it "just failed in this instance".It was also told the firm had a "good system" in place and it "just failed in this instance".
However, the judge said the company fell short of the appropriate standard.However, the judge said the company fell short of the appropriate standard.
In a statement issued by Flt Lt Cunningham's sister Nicolette Cunningham, the family said: "Sean's death was not an accident. It was a preventable death waiting to happen and we don't believe it was an isolated incident." Speaking after the sentencing, Flt Lt Sean Cunningham's father Jim Cunningham said his son's death was preventable.
The family said the fine issued to Martin-Baker Aircraft Ltd was "a tiny percentage of its profits". He said: "Martin-Baker were aware of the defect more than 20 years ago, and it took Sean's death for the issue to come to light.
"No amount of money will bring our son back or relieve our pain," Ms Cunningham added. "We can only hope they have learned a lesson and that no-one else goes through this hell because of faulty equipment."
"Lastly, I would like to address the MoD and RAF. I have one question for you. Where are you? Not one of you is here to represent my son or my family. He said his son, who suffered five skull fractures and 40 body fractures, was a wonderful young man with "a heart as big as the world", whose life had been cruelly cut short.
In a statement issued by Flt Lt Cunningham's sister Nicolette Cunningham, the family added: "Sean's death was not an accident. It was a preventable death waiting to happen and we don't believe it was an isolated incident."
She said: "Lastly, I would like to address the MoD and RAF. I have one question for you. Where are you? Not one of you is here to represent my son or my family.
"Sean was so proud to be a member of the armed forces and to serve his country. He was the perfect ambassador for your organisation. He gave you his all and ultimately gave his life.""Sean was so proud to be a member of the armed forces and to serve his country. He was the perfect ambassador for your organisation. He gave you his all and ultimately gave his life."
Martin-Baker Aircraft Ltd had already agreed to pay £550,000 in prosecution costs.Martin-Baker Aircraft Ltd had already agreed to pay £550,000 in prosecution costs.
In a statement, the company, which is based in Denham, Buckinghamshire, said: "Our thoughts remain foremost with the family and friends of Ft Lt Sean Cunningham, to whom the company conveys its sadness, regret and apology."In a statement, the company, which is based in Denham, Buckinghamshire, said: "Our thoughts remain foremost with the family and friends of Ft Lt Sean Cunningham, to whom the company conveys its sadness, regret and apology."
The firm admitted the health and safety breach on the basis it had failed to provide a written warning to the RAF about over-tightening a bolt on the aircraft.The firm admitted the health and safety breach on the basis it had failed to provide a written warning to the RAF about over-tightening a bolt on the aircraft.
It added its ejection seats were in use by 92 air forces and had saved more than 7,000 lives.It added its ejection seats were in use by 92 air forces and had saved more than 7,000 lives.
Operations manager for the Health and Safety Executive, Harvey Wild, said the death was "avoidable" and Martin-Baker "failed to take all reasonably practicable steps to protect users from the risk of harm".
Timeline of events:Timeline of events: