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Pilot error 'led to Puma crash' | Pilot error 'led to Puma crash' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A helicopter crash in Iraq which killed two SAS soldiers in 2007 was primarily caused by pilot error, a coroner has ruled at an inquest into their deaths. | A helicopter crash in Iraq which killed two SAS soldiers in 2007 was primarily caused by pilot error, a coroner has ruled at an inquest into their deaths. |
However Herefordshire coroner David Halpern also criticised the Ministry of Defence for "indefensible procedural and maintenance errors". | However Herefordshire coroner David Halpern also criticised the Ministry of Defence for "indefensible procedural and maintenance errors". |
Sgt John Battersby, 31, of Lancashire, and Cpl Lee Fitzsimmons, 26, from Peterborough, died in the crash. | Sgt John Battersby, 31, of Lancashire, and Cpl Lee Fitzsimmons, 26, from Peterborough, died in the crash. |
Two other servicemen were seriously injured in the incident in Baghdad. | Two other servicemen were seriously injured in the incident in Baghdad. |
Mr Halpern said a lack of equipment contributed to the men's deaths. | Mr Halpern said a lack of equipment contributed to the men's deaths. |
He also said it was "inexplicable" a fuel valve had not been the subject of any checks for almost 30 years. | He also said it was "inexplicable" a fuel valve had not been the subject of any checks for almost 30 years. |
When our sons lay their lives on the line for the greater good, I think they deserve better than this Jacqui Auty Puma: Fact file Crash soldier's mother 'bitter' | When our sons lay their lives on the line for the greater good, I think they deserve better than this Jacqui Auty Puma: Fact file Crash soldier's mother 'bitter' |
The inquest at Hereford Town Hall had heard that an anti-spill valve on the crashed helicopter was faulty and that the device might have prevented a fire taking hold so rapidly. | The inquest at Hereford Town Hall had heard that an anti-spill valve on the crashed helicopter was faulty and that the device might have prevented a fire taking hold so rapidly. |
The men's colleagues had attempted to rescue them but were forced back by the exploding aircraft and ammunition "cooking off", causing a barrage of bullets to fly out of the burning wreckage. | The men's colleagues had attempted to rescue them but were forced back by the exploding aircraft and ammunition "cooking off", causing a barrage of bullets to fly out of the burning wreckage. |
The crash happened as the soldiers tried to find and capture insurgents believed to be responsible for a bombing campaign. | The crash happened as the soldiers tried to find and capture insurgents believed to be responsible for a bombing campaign. |
MoD failings | MoD failings |
Sgt John Battersby is believed to have died before the fire took hold | Sgt John Battersby is believed to have died before the fire took hold |
Recording narrative verdicts on both men, Mr Halpern said he believed Sgt Battersby had died before the fire had taken hold, while Cpl Fitzsimmons had died from a severe head injury and the inhalation of fumes. | Recording narrative verdicts on both men, Mr Halpern said he believed Sgt Battersby had died before the fire had taken hold, while Cpl Fitzsimmons had died from a severe head injury and the inhalation of fumes. |
The inquest was told Cpl Fitzsimmons' injuries had not been survivable and it was inconceivable they would not have rendered him unconscious. | The inquest was told Cpl Fitzsimmons' injuries had not been survivable and it was inconceivable they would not have rendered him unconscious. |
Mr Halpern said he did not want to be "over-critical" of the pilot, who had been faced with "a very difficult task". | Mr Halpern said he did not want to be "over-critical" of the pilot, who had been faced with "a very difficult task". |
The pilot, identified only as Soldier J, had told the inquest how he had lost communication with other aircraft and had taken the split-second decision to land. | |
Coming down heavily, the helicopter rocked and, fearing it would tip over, Soldier J took off again, but the Puma hit the ground. | |
The coroner criticised the MoD for its failure to foresee the risk of a fuel anti-spill valve "sticking" when an aircraft rolled over, and its failure to fit display night-vision goggles to the Puma. | |
The inquest heard soldiers had not been wearing restraints because seatbelts had not been long enough for the equipment they had been carrying. | The inquest heard soldiers had not been wearing restraints because seatbelts had not been long enough for the equipment they had been carrying. |
"They really do need to implement, prosecute and police their policy regarding the use of restraints," Mr Halpern said. | "They really do need to implement, prosecute and police their policy regarding the use of restraints," Mr Halpern said. |
However the soldiers would have been justified in not wearing them when the helicopter had landed during a fast-moving mission, he added. | However the soldiers would have been justified in not wearing them when the helicopter had landed during a fast-moving mission, he added. |
'Deserve better' | 'Deserve better' |
After the hearing Cpl Fitzsimmons' mother, Jacqui Auty, said: "When our sons lay their lives on the line for the greater good, I think they deserve better than this. | After the hearing Cpl Fitzsimmons' mother, Jacqui Auty, said: "When our sons lay their lives on the line for the greater good, I think they deserve better than this. |
Jacqui Auty: "I think they deserve better than this" | Jacqui Auty: "I think they deserve better than this" |
But she said it was of "some comfort" to hear that several of the failings had already been acted on. | But she said it was of "some comfort" to hear that several of the failings had already been acted on. |
In a statement issued by her solicitor, Sgt Battersby's widow, Joanne, said her husband had died doing a job he had loved and been totally committed to. | In a statement issued by her solicitor, Sgt Battersby's widow, Joanne, said her husband had died doing a job he had loved and been totally committed to. |
"I do not blame the RAF for his death, the pilot was doing his best under difficult circumstances," she said. | "I do not blame the RAF for his death, the pilot was doing his best under difficult circumstances," she said. |
"He and many like him can only work with the tools they are given, and my thoughts about the role played by the MoD are best kept secret. | "He and many like him can only work with the tools they are given, and my thoughts about the role played by the MoD are best kept secret. |
Speaking to the media, after the inquest, Gp Capt Jonathan Burr, the station commander at RAF Benson, in Oxfordshire, offered his condolences to both men's families. | Speaking to the media, after the inquest, Gp Capt Jonathan Burr, the station commander at RAF Benson, in Oxfordshire, offered his condolences to both men's families. |
He said the coroner's verdict had "reinforced" the action the RAF had already taken as a result of its own board of inquiry. | He said the coroner's verdict had "reinforced" the action the RAF had already taken as a result of its own board of inquiry. |
Barrister John Cooper, who represented the soldiers' families, said he hoped the MoD had learned lessons from the tragedy. | Barrister John Cooper, who represented the soldiers' families, said he hoped the MoD had learned lessons from the tragedy. |
"One hopes they have learned that equipment should be properly maintained," he said. | "One hopes they have learned that equipment should be properly maintained," he said. |
Two Lynx helicopters and another Puma helicopter were also involved in the mission on the evening of 20 November 2007. | Two Lynx helicopters and another Puma helicopter were also involved in the mission on the evening of 20 November 2007. |