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MoD 'admits liability' for RAF jet crash airman's death MoD 'admits liability' for RAF jet crash airman's death
(35 minutes later)
Lawyers acting for one of three airmen killed in an RAF jets crash have said the Ministry of Defence has admitted liability for his death.Lawyers acting for one of three airmen killed in an RAF jets crash have said the Ministry of Defence has admitted liability for his death.
Sqn Ldr Samuel Bailey, 36, had been suffering from a fear of flying in the weeks prior to the incident.Sqn Ldr Samuel Bailey, 36, had been suffering from a fear of flying in the weeks prior to the incident.
He was in one of two Tornado GR4s that collided on 3 July 2012.He was in one of two Tornado GR4s that collided on 3 July 2012.
Insurers acting for the MoD have told solicitors Irwin Mitchell that they will accept responsibility for his death.Insurers acting for the MoD have told solicitors Irwin Mitchell that they will accept responsibility for his death.
It paves the way for compensation for Sqn Ldr Bailey's wife, Fiona, who was serving at RAF Lossiemouth from where the two Tornados had flown on separate training sorties.It paves the way for compensation for Sqn Ldr Bailey's wife, Fiona, who was serving at RAF Lossiemouth from where the two Tornados had flown on separate training sorties.
She was on duty at the time of the collision.
The 37-year-old said: "Getting this admission of liability is extremely important to me and our daughter in that my husband's good name has been maintained and no fault has been attached to his actions in the incident.
"Our lives were devastated back in July 2012 and we have waited a long time to find out exactly what went wrong on that day.
"We are relieved that we will now finally see some justice for what happened."
Sqn Ldr Bailey, from Nottingham, died along with Bangor-born Flt Lt Hywel Poole and Flt Lt Adam Sanders, 27, who grew up in Lancashire.Sqn Ldr Bailey, from Nottingham, died along with Bangor-born Flt Lt Hywel Poole and Flt Lt Adam Sanders, 27, who grew up in Lancashire.
Sqd Ldr Paul Evans, from RAF Lossiemouth, survived but was badly injured.Sqd Ldr Paul Evans, from RAF Lossiemouth, survived but was badly injured.
The crash happened over the Moray Firth, off the coast of Sutherland, near Helmsdale.The crash happened over the Moray Firth, off the coast of Sutherland, near Helmsdale.
The crews were on separate training sorties at the time and were heading for a firing range at Tain in Easter Ross when they collided.The crews were on separate training sorties at the time and were heading for a firing range at Tain in Easter Ross when they collided.
'safety barrier' 'Safety barrier'
A report on Military Aviation Authority's investigation into the collision was made public on Monday.A report on Military Aviation Authority's investigation into the collision was made public on Monday.
It said Sqn Ldr Bailey's condition did not directly cause the accident, but was probably a factor.It said Sqn Ldr Bailey's condition did not directly cause the accident, but was probably a factor.
Another factor was the lack of anti-collision equipment on the jets.Another factor was the lack of anti-collision equipment on the jets.
In its report, the Military Aviation Authority (MAA) said there was "much opportunity for this mid-air collision to be prevented".In its report, the Military Aviation Authority (MAA) said there was "much opportunity for this mid-air collision to be prevented".
It noted that there was no collision warning system (CWS) on board the Tornado fleet.It noted that there was no collision warning system (CWS) on board the Tornado fleet.
A system has been recommended for many years but installation was repeatedly delayed.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 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.The MAA indentified 17 contributory factors and seven other factors in the accident.
Contributory factors included poor weather conditions, "ineffective supervision" at squadron level of the aircraft involved and "shortcomings in the management process".Contributory factors included poor weather conditions, "ineffective supervision" at squadron level of the aircraft involved and "shortcomings in the management process".
'Crisis point''Crisis point'
Another factor was that there had not been a formalised and effective care plan for Sqn Ldr Bailey, a weapon systems operator and instructor who had a fear of flying at medium level.Another factor was that there had not been a formalised and effective care plan for Sqn Ldr Bailey, a weapon systems operator and instructor who had a fear of flying at medium level.
While not named in the report, he was described an experienced instructor who had previously served in Iraq.While not named in the report, he was described an experienced instructor who had previously served in Iraq.
He had sought help for his condition, the MAA report said.He had sought help for his condition, the MAA report said.
In April 2012, Sqn Ldr Bailey said he had reached a "crisis point" and "could not face flying".In April 2012, Sqn Ldr Bailey said he had reached a "crisis point" and "could not face flying".
He was diagnosed with a phobic anxiety disorder. He stopped flying for a time, before returning to the cockpit.He was diagnosed with a phobic anxiety disorder. He 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.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 Sqn Ldr Bailey's anxiety affected his decision-making, the report said his decisions were "not commensurate with his recognised experience and professional standing".While there was no evidence that Sqn Ldr Bailey's anxiety affected his decision-making, the report said his decisions were "not commensurate with his recognised experience and professional standing".