Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what investigation was carried out into the incidents involving the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system that caused the replacement of a Chinook helicopter’s number 1 engine on arrival at RAF Odiham in April 1994 and the subsequent replacement of that engine five days later following a second FADEC incident.

It is assumed that this question is asked in relation to Chinook ZD576, the helicopter involved in the tragedy on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994. The Board of Inquiry into this tragic accident refers to issues relating to the No. 1 Engine, the investigations into these issues and the remedial action that was taken stating that:

“Both engine malfunctions concerned the No 1 Engine Change Unit (ECU). The first malfunction concerned a torque indication fault and this was rectified by the replacement of the ECU. The second malfunction concerned an undemanded rise in N1 and Power Turbine Inlet Temperature. The fault could not be satisfactorily diagnosed, and both the ECU and engine control unit were replaced.”

This extract from the BoI is included on page 8 of the House of Lords Report of RAF Board of Inquiry published 8 November 2001.