Tornado ZD743 and ZD812 (Service Inquiry)

Monday 30th June 2014 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Anna Soubry)]

I wish to inform the House of the findings of the service inquiry into the accident involving two Tornado GR4 aircraft of XV(Reserve) Squadron from RAF Lossiemouth on 3 July 2012, in which Sqn Ldr Sam Bailey, Fit Lt Hywel Poole and Fit Lt Adam Sanders tragically died. On the day of the accident, the two aircraft were conducting training sorties when they collided over the Moray Firth.

A service inquiry was convened by the director-general of the Military Aviation Authority to establish the cause and examine those factors which contributed to the accident and to make recommendations to ensure that the circumstances which led to the collision are avoided in the future. The service inquiry panel has conducted an independent, thorough and objective inquiry and their report is now complete.

A copy of the report has already been provided to relevant personnel and units in defence to ensure the timely dissemination of these air safety lessons. The recommendations from the report have either been addressed or are in the process of being addressed.

A copy of the service inquiry, redacted in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, is being placed in the Library of the House today and on the Ministry of Defence website. Our deepest sympathies remain with the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident.