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Report into RAF Lossiemouth jets crash published One of three crewmen killed in jets crash 'feared flying'
(about 1 hour later)
An onboard collision warning system would have helped to prevent two RAF Tornado GR4s from colliding, air accident investigators have said. One of three airmen who died when two RAF Tornado GR4s collided had a fear of flying at medium level, air accident investigators have said.
Three airmen died in the incident in July 2012 involving the jets flown out of RAF Lossiemouth in Moray. The weapon systems operator was in the rear seat of a jet with a student pilot when it collided with another aircraft over the Moray Firth in 2012.
Neither aircraft was fitted with an anti-collision warning system. A report said the airman's condition did not directly cause the accident, but was probably a factor.
An 18-month probe by the Military Aviation Authority (MAA) indentified 16 other contributory factors in the accident. Another factor was the lack of anti-collision equipment on the jets.
These included poor weather conditions, "ineffective supervision" of the aircraft and "shortcomings in the management process". In its report, the Military Aviation Authority (MAA) said there was "much opportunity for this mid-air collision to be prevented".
The Ministry of Defence said the recommendations contained in the report were being implemented. It noted that there was no collision warning system (CWS) on board the Tornado fleet.
The crash happened over the Moray Firth, off the coast of Sutherland, near Helmsdale, on 3 July 2012. A system has been recommended for many years but installation was repeatedly delayed.
The report said it was unfortunate that this "final safety barrier" which would have made the crews aware of their close proximity did not exist.
The MAA indentified 17 contributory factors and seven other factors in the accident on 3 July 2012.
Contributory factors included poor weather conditions, "ineffective supervision" at squadron level of the aircraft involved and "shortcomings in the management process".
Another factor was that there had not been a formalised and effective care plan for the weapon systems operator (WSO) with the fear of flying at medium level.
He had sought help for his condition, the MAA report said.
In April 2012, the WSO said he had reached a "crisis point" and "could not face flying".
He was diagnosed with a phobic anxiety disorder. The WSO stopped flying for a time, before returning to the cockpit.
The report said on the day of the accident, the jet he was in made a "rushed" descent to low level and this was done in "marginal weather" conditions.
While there was no evidence that the WSO's anxiety affected his decision-making, the report said his decisions were "not commensurate with his recognised experience and professional standing".
An onboard collision warning system would have helped to prevent the Tornado GR4s from colliding, air accident investigators said.
Equipment designed to help fast jet pilots avoid mid-air collisions was recommended in the late 1990s.
A system with a total cost of £53.46m was approved for installation in October 2012 and a contract for the work was awarded in December that year.
The rollout of the equipment is due to be completed by this year.
The MAA said, at the time its report was written, there was no requirement for the RAF's new Typhoon and F-35B to be fitted with CWS.
The Ministry of Defence said the recommendations contained in the MAA report were being implemented.
The crash happened over the Moray Firth, off the coast of Sutherland, near Helmsdale.
The crews were on separate training missions at the time and were headed for a firing range at Tain in Easter Ross when they collided.The crews were on separate training missions at the time and were headed for a firing range at Tain in Easter Ross when they collided.
Bangor-born Flt Lt Hywel Poole, 28, Sqn Ldr Samuel Bailey, 36, from Nottingham, and Flt Lt Adam Sanders, 27, who grew up in Lancashire, died.Bangor-born Flt Lt Hywel Poole, 28, Sqn Ldr Samuel Bailey, 36, from Nottingham, and Flt Lt Adam Sanders, 27, who grew up in Lancashire, died.
Sqd Ldr Paul Evans, from RAF Lossiemouth, survived but was badly injured.Sqd Ldr Paul Evans, from RAF Lossiemouth, survived but was badly injured.