WIREDGOV

Publication of the RAF board of inquiry into the loss of Hercules XV206 in Afghanistan

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE News Release (179/2007) issued by The Government News Network on 25 July 2007

The MoD has today published the Royal Air Force Board of Inquiry (BOI) into the loss of an RAF Hercules in Afghanistan on 24 May 2006.

The BOI concluded that the aircraft was destroyed by fire after detonating an anti-tank mine on the Tactical Landing Zone. The explosion caused significant damage to the aircraft's landing gear, resulting in debris puncturing the left wing fuel tanks. In turn this caused an uncontrollable fire leading to the loss of the aircraft. The Board of Inquiry concluded that, even if the aircraft had been fitted with Explosion Suppressant Foam (ESF), it would not have prevented its loss. This is because ESF does not prevent leaks when the fuel tanks are punctured.

Three passengers suffered minor injuries in the incident. The Board of Inquiry commended the crew on how they managed the situation, and for ensuring that all on board were evacuated quickly.

We cannot eliminate risk in military operations; therefore the Board of Inquiry has made a number of recommendations aimed at keeping our operations as effective and safe as they can be in operational theatres. The Board's recommendations included a review of Force Protection procedures at Tactical Landing Zones. Air Command and Permanent Joint Headquarters have developed revised Force Protection procedures and tactics to be employed at Tactical Landing Zones in operational theatres. These are now being used by Force Protection teams on operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan. The reports full recommendations can be found in the notes to editors.

The loss of the aircraft has not impacted on current operations. We are considering our options for replacing the lost capability.

BOIs do not apportion blame. Instead they seek to identify the circumstances that resulted in the incident in order to prevent a recurrence.

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Notes to Editors

1. A Military Aircraft Accident Summary is being placed in the Library of the House and on the MOD's public internet site http://www.mod.uk. In addition, a redacted version of the main body of the Board of Inquiry report will be available on our internet site at http://www.foi.mod.uk.

2. The Board of Inquiry report has, as is our usual practice, been redacted to remove any information that might endanger the security or capability of UK and Coalition personnel or be of use to an enemy.

3. The BOI's Recommendations are:

i. Force protection procedures at Tactical Landing Zones within operational theatres should be reviewed by PJHQ. This review should include procedures to counter the threat from landmines and improvised explosive devices used to target aircraft.

Progress - Air Command and Permanent Joint Headquarters have developed revised Force Protection procedures and tactics to be employed at Tactical Landing Zones in operational theatres. These are now being used by Force Protection teams on operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

ii. The Board recommends that a standard operating procedure be developed between the Special Investigations Branch and Defence Aviation Safety Centre in order to facilitate efficient working practices.

Progress - The Defence Aviation Safety Centre (DASC) has undertaken to re-examine the role of the Special Investigations Branch in relation to the Board's expertise in investigating aircraft incidents.

iii. The Board recommends that an agreement is sought between DASC and the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) to allow AAIB investigators to attend in-theatre fixed wing incidents.

Progress - The DAS Board of Inquiry Advisor, who works within the DASC, is negotiating directly with the AAIB to determine the possibility of its investigators deploying out of area in support of an RAF Board of Inquiry.

iv. A system is sought, by Air Command, to allow operations staff and crews to raise passenger manifests on all tasks.

Progress -Theatre orders are in place that require, whenever practicable, all passengers to be manifested.

v. Consideration is given to the formation of a UK centre of excellence. Acting as the focal point for all information on aircraft combat survivability and vulnerability, combining national elements of expertise from the various Defence Facilities.

Progress - The Air Warfare Centre (AWC) continues to work with the US Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Centre (SURVIAC) through links established by the US Special Projects Team (a detached unit of the AWC). The AWC is working towards the most appropriate agreement with SURVIAC to allow access to the relevant information to enhance the survivability of UK platforms. At this early stage in the process the exact details and timings have yet to be articulated.

vi. Prior to the formation of a UK centre of excellence, a MOU is sought between the MOD and the US Department of Defence to allow relevant information on aircraft combat survivability and vulnerability to be exchanged with Survivability/ Vulnerability Information Analysis Centre (SURVIAC).

Progress - Any future creation of a UK centre of excellence can only be completed once the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or similar agreement has been established.

vii. C-130 crews are issued with Fire Retardant Combat Soldier 95 clothing.

Progress - Fire retardant combat soldier 95 clothing is now issued, under an urgent operational requirement, to all C-130 crews operating in Iraq and Afghanistan.

viii. The RAF (HQ 2 Group) undertake a review of the provisions and functionality of survival equipment, combat body armour and personal weapon carriage for multi engine crews.

Progress - A thorough investigation of the combat body armour, survival equipment and personal weapon carriage has been undertaken for all 2 Group aircraft types. The provision of this equipment is being urgently pursued.

ix. The RAF (HQ 2 Group) consider issuing a new leg holster to all mixed engine crews scheduled to land in an op theatre.

Progress - This recommendation has been included within the work to address viii above .

x. That rifle stowage facilities are fitted to the C130 fleet.

Progress - Rifle racks have now been fitted into the freight bay of in-theatre C-130 aircraft. Fitting rifle racks on the aircraft flight deck is an extant requirement which will expedite emergency egress of the aircraft for the flight deck crew. Flight deck racks are under development by the aircraft design authorities, Lockheed Martin and Marshall Aerospace, embodiment is anticipated by the end of the calendar year.