Military jets 'need warning system to avoid collisions'
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.A new warning system is needed to ensure that collisions involving military jets on exercises are avoided, according to the report on an accident which killed a helicopter pilot and his passenger, writes Christian Wolmar.
The report says that the crash between an RAF Tornado on manoeuvres and an Augusta Bell helicopter which was inspecting a pipeline near Kendal in Cumbria was unavoidable because neither pilot saw the other aircraft in time to avoid colliding. Indeed, the Tornado pilot thought that he had hit a flock of birds. The helicopter pilot, Robert Reid, and his observer, Alan Tucker, died when the aircraft plunged about 400ft to the ground.
The crash, on 23 June last year, occurred in good weather in unrestricted air space, which means that pilots are under a duty to watch for other aircraft under a procedure known as 'see and avoid'. However, the report says that pilots of aircraft at high speeds, like the Tornado which was travelling at 480mph, are unable to see aircraft in time to take avoiding action. It paints a picture which suggests that users of this uncontrolled airspace are playing a game of Russian roulette in which accidents are inevitable as it is impossible for pilots to prevent them.
The report recommends that the Ministry of Defence should commission an inquiry into whether the use of 'see and avoid' as the primary means of collision avoidance is safe.
Report on accident involving Royal Air Force Tornado GRI, ZG754 and Bell 206B JetRanger III, G- BHYW, at Farleton Knott, near Kendal, Cumbria, on 23 June 1993. Department of Transport Air Accidents Investigation Branch; pounds 23.
Two airmen were rescued from the North Sea yesterday after being forced to eject from their RAF Tornado F3 fighter jet.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments