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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Human error' in Iraq air crash | 'Human error' in Iraq air crash |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Two servicemen died in a helicopter crash in Iraq because of human error, an inquiry into their deaths has found. | Two servicemen died in a helicopter crash in Iraq because of human error, an inquiry into their deaths has found. |
| Sgt John Battersby, 31, of Lancashire, and Cpl Lee Fitzsimmons, 26, from Peterborough, died when their Puma helicopter crashed in Baghdad in 2007. | Sgt John Battersby, 31, of Lancashire, and Cpl Lee Fitzsimmons, 26, from Peterborough, died when their Puma helicopter crashed in Baghdad in 2007. |
| An investigation concluded that the pilot, who survived, became disoriented and took off incorrectly in the dusty conditions on 20 November 2007. | An investigation concluded that the pilot, who survived, became disoriented and took off incorrectly in the dusty conditions on 20 November 2007. |
| Two other servicemen were seriously injured during the incident. | Two other servicemen were seriously injured during the incident. |
| Sgt Battersby and Cpl Fitzsimmons, 26 were passengers on board one of two Pumas that were transporting soldiers to another location. | Sgt Battersby and Cpl Fitzsimmons, 26 were passengers on board one of two Pumas that were transporting soldiers to another location. |
| 'Flames' | 'Flames' |
| Their aircraft - known as Puma Two - made a heavy landing and clipped the ground. | Their aircraft - known as Puma Two - made a heavy landing and clipped the ground. |
| The pilot attempted to pull up and take off again but the helicopter was engulfed in flames after it rolled on to its right side and ploughed into the desert terrain in Salman Pak, north of Baghdad. | The pilot attempted to pull up and take off again but the helicopter was engulfed in flames after it rolled on to its right side and ploughed into the desert terrain in Salman Pak, north of Baghdad. |
| The results of the RAF inquiry were announced by Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth. It is generally understood that if passengers remain inside the cabin during a crash, their survival rate increases Gp Capt Paul Lyall Three dead SAS soldiers are named class="" href="/1/hi/uk/2888925.stm">Factfile: Puma helicopters | |
| The investigating board concluded that the main cause of the crash was the pilot's incorrect take-off. | The investigating board concluded that the main cause of the crash was the pilot's incorrect take-off. |
| A number of other contributory factors were also identified. | A number of other contributory factors were also identified. |
| These included "insufficient reconnaissance of the landing site" and unanticipated windy conditions and poor visibility caused by dust. | These included "insufficient reconnaissance of the landing site" and unanticipated windy conditions and poor visibility caused by dust. |
| The board also highlighted a number of other "aggravating factors" including "unsuitable fire extinguishers", a lack of protective clothing and "lack of restraint on board" for the passengers. | |
| Puma Force Commander Gp Capt Paul Lyall said it was usual practice for troops - who anticipated coming under attack on this type of operation - to unstrap themselves shortly before landing so that they could quickly exit from their aircraft. | Puma Force Commander Gp Capt Paul Lyall said it was usual practice for troops - who anticipated coming under attack on this type of operation - to unstrap themselves shortly before landing so that they could quickly exit from their aircraft. |
| High priority | High priority |
| He said: "This should be a tactical risk judgment taken for each individual mission: it is a difficult judgment for both soldier and aircrew. | He said: "This should be a tactical risk judgment taken for each individual mission: it is a difficult judgment for both soldier and aircrew. |
| "It is generally understood that if passengers remain inside the cabin during a crash, their survival rate increases." | "It is generally understood that if passengers remain inside the cabin during a crash, their survival rate increases." |
| He said if troops were "thrown from the cabin", they were more likely to die. | He said if troops were "thrown from the cabin", they were more likely to die. |
| "In this case, the fatalities arose when unrestrained passengers were thrown clear of the cabin and beneath the aircraft," he said. | "In this case, the fatalities arose when unrestrained passengers were thrown clear of the cabin and beneath the aircraft," he said. |
| The board recommended that passengers should not be allowed to fly without restraints unless a full risk assessment was carried out. | The board recommended that passengers should not be allowed to fly without restraints unless a full risk assessment was carried out. |
| Grp Cpt Lyall said the RAF "fully accepted" this and was investigating, as a "high priority", the best methods of securing personnel safely. | Grp Cpt Lyall said the RAF "fully accepted" this and was investigating, as a "high priority", the best methods of securing personnel safely. |
| In July this year, Hereford Coroner David Halpern lifted a court order that had prevented the men being named because of they were in the SAS. | In July this year, Hereford Coroner David Halpern lifted a court order that had prevented the men being named because of they were in the SAS. |
| An inquest into the deaths of the pair will resume in Herefordshire next year. | An inquest into the deaths of the pair will resume in Herefordshire next year. |
| There have been a number of fatal crashes involving Pumas - the oldest helicopter operated by the RAF - in recent years. | There have been a number of fatal crashes involving Pumas - the oldest helicopter operated by the RAF - in recent years. |
| In April 2007, two servicemen died when two Puma helicopters collided north of Baghdad. | In April 2007, two servicemen died when two Puma helicopters collided north of Baghdad. |
| In August last year, three personnel were killed when a Puma crashed in North Yorkshire. | In August last year, three personnel were killed when a Puma crashed in North Yorkshire. |
| An RAF pilot was also killed when a Puma crashed in Iraq in July 2004. | An RAF pilot was also killed when a Puma crashed in Iraq in July 2004. |