Key safety measures have still not been introduced on some military aircraft, two years after a Hercules crash killed 10 UK servicemen, the BBC has learned.
Key safety measures have still not been introduced on some military aircraft, two years after a Hercules crash killed 10 UK servicemen, the BBC has learned.
One former Squadron Commander described the situation as "criminally insane".
One former Squadron Commander described the situation as "criminally insane".
The 2005 Hercules crash, after ground fire caused a fuel tank explosion, was the single largest loss of British life in Iraq since military action began.
An inquiry said the lack of a fuel tank safety system may have contributed to the 2005 crash, the UK's single largest loss of life in the Iraq conflict.
A board of inquiry has said the lack of a fuel tank safety system could have contributed to the crash.
But two years on, only seven out of the military's 48 Hercules aircraft have been given the protection they need.
The 2005 crash occurred after ground fire caused a fuel tank explosion.
The MoD has said the deaths would not definitely have been prevented had explosive suppressant technology been fitted, but announced in April 2006 it had decided to fit it to some Hercules aircraft.
The MoD has said the deaths would not definitely have been prevented had explosive suppressant technology been fitted, but announced in April 2006 it had decided to fit it to some Hercules aircraft.
Relatives of the lost crew have been calling for explosive suppressant foam (ESF) - used in US aircraft since the Vietnam war - to be fitted to the entire Hercules fleet.
Relatives of the lost crew have been calling for explosive suppressant foam (ESF) - used in US aircraft since the Vietnam war - to be fitted to the entire Hercules fleet.
Last October they handed a petition bearing 2,858 names demanding the device for the fleet, based at Lyneham, Wiltshire.
Last October they handed a petition bearing 2,858 names demanding the device for the fleet, based at Lyneham, Wiltshire.
Security
Security
In November the government said only two Hercules planes had been fitted with ESF.
In November the government said only two Hercules planes had been fitted with ESF.
But in a later answer to a parliamentary question armed forces minister Adam Ingram said fuel leaks were reported on two Hercules C-130 aircraft after being fitted with the foam protection to their fuel tanks.
But in a later answer to a parliamentary question armed forces minister Adam Ingram said fuel leaks were reported on two Hercules C-130 aircraft after being fitted with the foam protection to their fuel tanks.
Both were returned to the contractor for repair and subsequently returned to the front line, he said.
Both were returned to the contractor for repair and subsequently returned to the front line, he said.
Mr Ingram told the House of Commons in December that "the majority" of the RAF's C-130 Hercules fleet would have ESF by the end of 2007.
Mr Ingram told the House of Commons in December that "the majority" of the RAF's C-130 Hercules fleet would have ESF by the end of 2007.
But he said he could not reveal the precise number, for security reasons.
But he said he could not reveal the precise number, for security reasons.
The Lyneham crew members who died were Flt Lt David Stead, 35, Flt Lt Andrew Smith, 25, Flt Lt Paul Pardoel, 35, Master Engineer Gary Nicholson, 42, Chief Technician Richard Brown, 40, Flt Sgt Mark Gibson, 34, Sgt Robert O'Connor, 38, and Cpl David Williams, 37.
The Lyneham crew members who died were Flt Lt David Stead, 35, Flt Lt Andrew Smith, 25, Flt Lt Paul Pardoel, 35, Master Engineer Gary Nicholson, 42, Chief Technician Richard Brown, 40, Flt Sgt Mark Gibson, 34, Sgt Robert O'Connor, 38, and Cpl David Williams, 37.
A ninth RAF man on board, Sqn Ldr Patrick Marshall, 39, was from Strike Command Headquarters at RAF High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Acting L/Cpl Steven Jones, 25, was a soldier serving with the Royal Signals and a passenger on the Hercules.
A ninth RAF man on board, Sqn Ldr Patrick Marshall, 39, was from Strike Command Headquarters at RAF High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Acting L/Cpl Steven Jones, 25, was a soldier serving with the Royal Signals and a passenger on the Hercules.
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