Chinook crash was accident, officials say
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.OFFICIALS investigating the cause of the Chinook helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre, which killed 25 anti-terrorist intelligence officers and four RAF personnel, yesterday confirmed that they had ruled out sabotage.
As investigators from the Department of Transport, the RAF and Strathclyde Police continued to search the crash site, senior officials said tests carried out on the wreckage showed that the aircraft was flying normally when it struck a hill and burst into flames.
The head of one of the inquiry teams said: 'We have to wait for final public confirmation but it is now clear that there was no bomb, no sabotage. This was an accident.
'The debris is concentrated in a very confined area, with the cockpit and front rotor head pushed slightly up the hill after impact. This is simply a case of a helicopter flying at cruising speed into the side of a hill and breaking up.'
Pilot error or the failure of navigational equipment were the most likely causes, he said.
Yesterday the victims and their families were remembered when coastguards, RAF officers and firefighters joined local people for a special prayer service at Southend parish church on Kintyre.
The bodies of all 29 victims were formally identified yesterday and post-mortem examinations carried out. They will be flown home today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments