Tony Collins's IT Projects Blog

This is a longer version of an article on ComputerWeekly.com

A former senior officer who helped write rules for RAF accident inquiries has spoken publicly for the first time about his concerns over what caused the crash of a Chinook helicopter 14 years ago which killed the aircrew and 25 VIPs.

Retired Air Commodore Derek Hine says there is too much evidence of software problems on the type of Chinook which crashed to convince him that the pilots were definitely to blame.

Hine's comments come as the Defence Secretary Des Browne considers a lengthy file on the circumstances surrounding the crash of Chinook ZD576 on the Mull of Kintyre in June 1994.

The dossier contains new evidence which campaigners hope will lead to minsters setting aside the verdict of gross negligence against the pilots Fl Lieutenants Rick Cook and Jonathan Tapper.

Shortly after 7.30am on Friday June 2 1994, crew members of a Chinook helicopter,

airframe registration number ZD576, had their last breakfast.

They ate cereals; one had poached eggs as well, and another had a full fried breakfast.

Then the crew collected their weapons, ready for the day's duties, which were mostly

around Northern Ireland.

"Don't blame operators for lack of evidence". Below is an editorial we published in 2002 which explains Computer Weekly's interest in the crash of Chinook ZD576 on the Mull of Kintyre in June 1994.

This photo of Chinook ZD576 is the copyright of Robin Crorie who has given kind permission for it to be used by Computer Weekly in connection with the Campaign for Justice to clear the names of the pilots. The photo of ZD576 must not be copied, shared, circulated, used or reused without the permission of the copyright-holder. 

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