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| Fresh doubts over Chinook crash | Fresh doubts over Chinook crash |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| New evidence has emerged that computer software faults may have caused the 1994 Chinook helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre, the BBC has learned. | New evidence has emerged that computer software faults may have caused the 1994 Chinook helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre, the BBC has learned. |
| The RAF had found the two pilots guilty of gross negligence after the crash in fog which killed all 29 people aboard. | |
| An internal MoD document, written nine months before the crash, said the software was "positively dangerous". | An internal MoD document, written nine months before the crash, said the software was "positively dangerous". |
| The MoD said the helicopter was airworthy and the latest information could not be classed as new evidence. | The MoD said the helicopter was airworthy and the latest information could not be classed as new evidence. |
| Families of the pilots have been fighting for the last 15 years to clear their dead relatives' names and want the MoD to reopen the inquiry in light of the internal documents passed to the BBC. | Families of the pilots have been fighting for the last 15 years to clear their dead relatives' names and want the MoD to reopen the inquiry in light of the internal documents passed to the BBC. |
| If you blame the pilots you sweep the whole thing under the carpet Squadron Leader Robert Burke (retired) | If you blame the pilots you sweep the whole thing under the carpet Squadron Leader Robert Burke (retired) |
| The documents from the MoD aircraft testing centre at Boscombe Down show there were serious concerns and warnings over the engine control computer software. | The documents from the MoD aircraft testing centre at Boscombe Down show there were serious concerns and warnings over the engine control computer software. |
| One, written nine months before the crash by a senior engineering officer, said "deficiencies" in the software meant the pilot's control of the engines could not be assured. | One, written nine months before the crash by a senior engineering officer, said "deficiencies" in the software meant the pilot's control of the engines could not be assured. |
| Other documents show the warnings and recommendations were ignored. | Other documents show the warnings and recommendations were ignored. |
| One written on the day of the crash stated it was "imperative" that the "RAF should cease operations". | One written on the day of the crash stated it was "imperative" that the "RAF should cease operations". |
| 'Question of honour' | 'Question of honour' |
| The Chinook Mark 2 helicopter crashed on 2 June 1994 en route from Northern Ireland to Inverness. | The Chinook Mark 2 helicopter crashed on 2 June 1994 en route from Northern Ireland to Inverness. |
| Among those killed were special forces crew and 25 senior members of Northern Ireland's intelligence community. | Among those killed were special forces crew and 25 senior members of Northern Ireland's intelligence community. |
| We're not after money. Just for his name to be cleared - purely a question of honour Mike Tapper Father of pilot Jonathan Tapper | We're not after money. Just for his name to be cleared - purely a question of honour Mike Tapper Father of pilot Jonathan Tapper |
| An official RAF inquiry into the incident concluded the aircraft was airworthy and found the pilots guilty of gross negligence. | An official RAF inquiry into the incident concluded the aircraft was airworthy and found the pilots guilty of gross negligence. |
| However, three subsequent inquiries have found the cause of the crash was inconclusive. | However, three subsequent inquiries have found the cause of the crash was inconclusive. |
| The pilots' families and campaigners have always believed serious flaws in the helicopter were more likely to have been responsible for the crash. | The pilots' families and campaigners have always believed serious flaws in the helicopter were more likely to have been responsible for the crash. |
| Mike Tapper, father of Flt Lt Jonathan Tapper, said: "There's too much evidence against the MoD, there's too many people who know the truth now. | Mike Tapper, father of Flt Lt Jonathan Tapper, said: "There's too much evidence against the MoD, there's too many people who know the truth now. |
| "They cannot get away with this. We're not after money. Just for his name to be cleared - purely a question of honour." | "They cannot get away with this. We're not after money. Just for his name to be cleared - purely a question of honour." |
| Service history | Service history |
| The BBC has also spoken to Squadron Leader Robert Burke, who was the chief test pilot for the Chinook Mark 2 at the time of the crash. | The BBC has also spoken to Squadron Leader Robert Burke, who was the chief test pilot for the Chinook Mark 2 at the time of the crash. |
| He said he was told by a senior officer to stop advising the civilian air accident investigator. He was also not asked to take part in the official RAF inquiry into the crash. | He said he was told by a senior officer to stop advising the civilian air accident investigator. He was also not asked to take part in the official RAF inquiry into the crash. |
| This latest information is from an RAF document; it was available to the Inquiry team and cannot be classed as new evidence Ministry of Defence | This latest information is from an RAF document; it was available to the Inquiry team and cannot be classed as new evidence Ministry of Defence |
| He believes the RAF rushed the Chinook into service knowing it to be dangerous - and then blamed the pilots to save face when their "showcase" flight went wrong. | He believes the RAF rushed the Chinook into service knowing it to be dangerous - and then blamed the pilots to save face when their "showcase" flight went wrong. |
| "The Chinook Mark 2 was very, very late coming into service," he said. | "The Chinook Mark 2 was very, very late coming into service," he said. |
| "The Army were complaining bitterly about this - they couldn't get their training done - indeed the RAF couldn't get their training done. | "The Army were complaining bitterly about this - they couldn't get their training done - indeed the RAF couldn't get their training done. |
| "If you blame the pilots you sweep the whole thing under the carpet." | "If you blame the pilots you sweep the whole thing under the carpet." |
| Following the latest revelations, the MoD said the Chinook crashed in poor visibility and since the tragic incident, the fleet has had a remarkably safe and successful service history. | Following the latest revelations, the MoD said the Chinook crashed in poor visibility and since the tragic incident, the fleet has had a remarkably safe and successful service history. |
| In a statement, it said: "Ministers have repeatedly stated that they would reopen the Board of Inquiry if any new evidence is raised. | In a statement, it said: "Ministers have repeatedly stated that they would reopen the Board of Inquiry if any new evidence is raised. |
| "Despite numerous representations over the years, nothing has been presented to successive secretaries of state that would justify reopening the Inquiry. | "Despite numerous representations over the years, nothing has been presented to successive secretaries of state that would justify reopening the Inquiry. |
| "This latest information is from an RAF document; it was available to the Inquiry team and cannot be classed as new evidence." | "This latest information is from an RAF document; it was available to the Inquiry team and cannot be classed as new evidence." |