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Iraq war air crash 'due to fault' Iraq war air crash 'due to fault'
(30 minutes later)
The death of eight UK servicemen in an US helicopter crash at the start of the Iraq conflict was due to mechanical failure, a coroner has ruled.The death of eight UK servicemen in an US helicopter crash at the start of the Iraq conflict was due to mechanical failure, a coroner has ruled.
Andrew Walker's view goes against a US finding that pilot error was to blame. The commandos died along with four US marines in Kuwait on 21 March 2003.Andrew Walker's view goes against a US finding that pilot error was to blame. The commandos died along with four US marines in Kuwait on 21 March 2003.
The Oxford coroner said it was "unacceptable" the US had failed to release evidence about the incident.The Oxford coroner said it was "unacceptable" the US had failed to release evidence about the incident.
Relatives of the Britons said the lack of co-operation added to their grief.Relatives of the Britons said the lack of co-operation added to their grief.
A British board of inquiry report into the crash of the CH-46 Sea Knight several miles south of the Iraqi border caused controversy when it also differed in the findings of the US report.A British board of inquiry report into the crash of the CH-46 Sea Knight several miles south of the Iraqi border caused controversy when it also differed in the findings of the US report.
The UK inquiry by 3 Commando Brigade found technical failure was to blame. But British defence chiefs later endorsed the US investigation which focused on pilot "disorientation".The UK inquiry by 3 Commando Brigade found technical failure was to blame. But British defence chiefs later endorsed the US investigation which focused on pilot "disorientation".
We have to take comfort from the fact that this has been explored as thoroughly as possible Lianne SeymourWe have to take comfort from the fact that this has been explored as thoroughly as possible Lianne Seymour
In recording a narrative verdict today, Mr Walker, assistant deputy coroner for Oxfordshire, said there was "no evidence whatsoever" of pilot error on the basis of the evidence he had seen.In recording a narrative verdict today, Mr Walker, assistant deputy coroner for Oxfordshire, said there was "no evidence whatsoever" of pilot error on the basis of the evidence he had seen.
The deaths were the first suffered by the UK in the Iraq conflict.The deaths were the first suffered by the UK in the Iraq conflict.
The British victims were all from 3 Commando Brigade based in Plymouth. The men who died were: Royal Marines Colour Sergeant John Cecil, 35, from Plymouth; Captain Philip Guy, 29, from Bishopdale, North Yorks; Marine Sholto Hedenskog, 26, from Cape Town, South Africa; Warrant Officer 2 Mark Stratford, 39, from Plymouth; and Major Jason Ward, 34, from Torquay.The British victims were all from 3 Commando Brigade based in Plymouth. The men who died were: Royal Marines Colour Sergeant John Cecil, 35, from Plymouth; Captain Philip Guy, 29, from Bishopdale, North Yorks; Marine Sholto Hedenskog, 26, from Cape Town, South Africa; Warrant Officer 2 Mark Stratford, 39, from Plymouth; and Major Jason Ward, 34, from Torquay.
Also killed were Operator Mechanic (Communications) Second Class Ian Seymour, 29, from Poole in Dorset; Sgt Les Hehir, 34, also from Poole; and Lance Bombardier Llywelyn Evans, 24, of Llandudno, north Wales. Lance Bombardier Evans had a younger brother serving in the same unit.Also killed were Operator Mechanic (Communications) Second Class Ian Seymour, 29, from Poole in Dorset; Sgt Les Hehir, 34, also from Poole; and Lance Bombardier Llywelyn Evans, 24, of Llandudno, north Wales. Lance Bombardier Evans had a younger brother serving in the same unit.
Edited reportEdited report
The US inquiry found the crash occurred after the pilots became "spatially disoriented" in poor weather conditions. The US inquiry found the crash occurred after the pilots became "spatially disoriented" in poor weather.
But relatives of the Britons suggested during the inquest that the US might have opted for the conclusion to avoid grounding the fleet at the start of the war. But some colleagues of the British service personnel told the inquest that conditions had been clear.
Factfile: CH-46 Sea KnightFactfile: CH-46 Sea Knight
Solicitor Geraldine McCool, who represented some of the families, said the US inquiry findings "just did not fit in with the evidence".
Relatives of the eight commandos have suggested the US might have opted for its conclusion to avoid having to ground the Sea Knight fleet at the start of the war.
In recording his verdict, the coroner recommended US Sea Knight aircraft be fitted with "black box" flight data recorders to detect any mechanical faults.In recording his verdict, the coroner recommended US Sea Knight aircraft be fitted with "black box" flight data recorders to detect any mechanical faults.
He found a "runaway", or mechanical fault, in "both the differential air speed hold actuators caused the aircraft to lose control and strike the ground".He found a "runaway", or mechanical fault, in "both the differential air speed hold actuators caused the aircraft to lose control and strike the ground".
Ian Seymour's widow, Lianne, said she was pleased the coroner had been so diligent.Ian Seymour's widow, Lianne, said she was pleased the coroner had been so diligent.
"Ultimately, the result is the same for all of us, we've all lost our loved ones and unfortunately nothing can ever make us feel better about that situation."Ultimately, the result is the same for all of us, we've all lost our loved ones and unfortunately nothing can ever make us feel better about that situation.
"And now we have to take comfort from the fact that this has been explored as thoroughly as possible and we've come up with this verdict..."And now we have to take comfort from the fact that this has been explored as thoroughly as possible and we've come up with this verdict...
"I think we're all grateful that it wasn't taken for granted that the US verdict was conclusive"."I think we're all grateful that it wasn't taken for granted that the US verdict was conclusive".
After being criticised by Mr Walker earlier in the proceedings for non co-operation, the US supplied an edited report on the crash.After being criticised by Mr Walker earlier in the proceedings for non co-operation, the US supplied an edited report on the crash.
Mr Walker, however, said he was concerned important analysis about engineering had not been included. Mr Walker, however, said he was concerned important analysis about equipment had not been included.
The US defence department has told BBC News the coroner was provided with a "redacted report" of the US investigation - the same report provided to the US next of kin - and permission was given for witness statements to be used in court.The US defence department has told BBC News the coroner was provided with a "redacted report" of the US investigation - the same report provided to the US next of kin - and permission was given for witness statements to be used in court.
The coroner, earlier this year, criticised the American authorities for failing to provide "vital" information at the inquest into the 'friendly fire' death of Matty Hull.The coroner, earlier this year, criticised the American authorities for failing to provide "vital" information at the inquest into the 'friendly fire' death of Matty Hull.