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| Iraq war air crash 'due to fault' | Iraq war air crash 'due to fault' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The death of eight UK servicemen in an US helicopter crash at the start of the Iraq conflict was due to mechanical failure, a coroner has ruled. | The death of eight UK servicemen in an US helicopter crash at the start of the Iraq conflict was due to mechanical failure, a coroner has ruled. |
| Andrew Walker's view goes against a US finding that pilot error was to blame. The commandos died along with four US marines in Kuwait on 21 March 2003. | Andrew Walker's view goes against a US finding that pilot error was to blame. The commandos died along with four US marines in Kuwait on 21 March 2003. |
| The Oxford coroner said that it was "unacceptable" the US failed to release some evidence about the incident. | |
| Relatives of the Britons said the lack of co-operation added to their grief. | Relatives of the Britons said the lack of co-operation added to their grief. |
| A British board of inquiry report into the crash of the CH-46 Sea Knight several miles south of the Iraqi border caused controversy when it also differed in the findings of the US report. | A British board of inquiry report into the crash of the CH-46 Sea Knight several miles south of the Iraqi border caused controversy when it also differed in the findings of the US report. |
| The UK inquiry by 3 Commando Brigade found technical failure was to blame. But British defence chiefs later endorsed the US investigation which focused on pilot "disorientation". | The UK inquiry by 3 Commando Brigade found technical failure was to blame. But British defence chiefs later endorsed the US investigation which focused on pilot "disorientation". |
| After the inquest verdict, the Ministry of Defence said: "Both conclusions were presented to the families as there was no way to definitely establish the cause of this tragic accident." | After the inquest verdict, the Ministry of Defence said: "Both conclusions were presented to the families as there was no way to definitely establish the cause of this tragic accident." |
| We have to take comfort from the fact that this has been explored as thoroughly as possible Lianne Seymour | We have to take comfort from the fact that this has been explored as thoroughly as possible Lianne Seymour |
| In recording a narrative verdict today, Mr Walker, assistant deputy coroner for Oxfordshire, said there was "no evidence whatsoever" of pilot error on the basis of the evidence he had seen. | In recording a narrative verdict today, Mr Walker, assistant deputy coroner for Oxfordshire, said there was "no evidence whatsoever" of pilot error on the basis of the evidence he had seen. |
| The deaths were the first suffered by the UK in the Iraq conflict. | The deaths were the first suffered by the UK in the Iraq conflict. |
| The British victims were all from 3 Commando Brigade based in Plymouth. The men who died were: Royal Marines Colour Sergeant John Cecil, 35, from Plymouth; Captain Philip Guy, 29, from Bishopdale, North Yorks; Marine Sholto Hedenskog, 26, from Cape Town, South Africa; Warrant Officer 2 Mark Stratford, 39, from Plymouth; and Major Jason Ward, 34, from Torquay. | The British victims were all from 3 Commando Brigade based in Plymouth. The men who died were: Royal Marines Colour Sergeant John Cecil, 35, from Plymouth; Captain Philip Guy, 29, from Bishopdale, North Yorks; Marine Sholto Hedenskog, 26, from Cape Town, South Africa; Warrant Officer 2 Mark Stratford, 39, from Plymouth; and Major Jason Ward, 34, from Torquay. |
| Also killed were Operator Mechanic (Communications) Second Class Ian Seymour, 29, from Poole in Dorset; Sgt Les Hehir, 34, also from Poole; and Lance Bombardier Llywelyn Evans, 24, of Llandudno, north Wales. Lance Bombardier Evans had a younger brother serving in the same unit. | Also killed were Operator Mechanic (Communications) Second Class Ian Seymour, 29, from Poole in Dorset; Sgt Les Hehir, 34, also from Poole; and Lance Bombardier Llywelyn Evans, 24, of Llandudno, north Wales. Lance Bombardier Evans had a younger brother serving in the same unit. |
| Edited report | Edited report |
| The US inquiry found the crash occurred after the pilots became "spatially disoriented" in poor weather. | The US inquiry found the crash occurred after the pilots became "spatially disoriented" in poor weather. |
| But some colleagues of the British service personnel told the inquest that conditions had been clear. | But some colleagues of the British service personnel told the inquest that conditions had been clear. |
| Factfile: CH-46 Sea Knight | Factfile: CH-46 Sea Knight |
| Solicitor Geraldine McCool, who represented some of the families, said the US inquiry findings "just did not fit in with the evidence". | Solicitor Geraldine McCool, who represented some of the families, said the US inquiry findings "just did not fit in with the evidence". |
| Relatives of the eight commandos have suggested the US might have opted for its conclusion to avoid having to ground the Sea Knight fleet at the start of the war. | Relatives of the eight commandos have suggested the US might have opted for its conclusion to avoid having to ground the Sea Knight fleet at the start of the war. |
| In recording his verdict, the coroner recommended US Sea Knight aircraft be fitted with "black box" flight data recorders to detect any mechanical faults. | In recording his verdict, the coroner recommended US Sea Knight aircraft be fitted with "black box" flight data recorders to detect any mechanical faults. |
| He found a "runaway", or mechanical fault, in "both the differential air speed hold actuators caused the aircraft to lose control and strike the ground". | He found a "runaway", or mechanical fault, in "both the differential air speed hold actuators caused the aircraft to lose control and strike the ground". |
| Ian Seymour's widow, Lianne, said she was pleased the coroner had been so diligent. | Ian Seymour's widow, Lianne, said she was pleased the coroner had been so diligent. |
| "Ultimately, the result is the same for all of us, we've all lost our loved ones and unfortunately nothing can ever make us feel better about that situation. | "Ultimately, the result is the same for all of us, we've all lost our loved ones and unfortunately nothing can ever make us feel better about that situation. |
| "And now we have to take comfort from the fact that this has been explored as thoroughly as possible and we've come up with this verdict... | "And now we have to take comfort from the fact that this has been explored as thoroughly as possible and we've come up with this verdict... |
| "I think we're all grateful that it wasn't taken for granted that the US verdict was conclusive". | "I think we're all grateful that it wasn't taken for granted that the US verdict was conclusive". |
| After being criticised by Mr Walker earlier in the proceedings for non co-operation, the US supplied an edited report on the crash. | After being criticised by Mr Walker earlier in the proceedings for non co-operation, the US supplied an edited report on the crash. |
| Mr Walker, however, said he was concerned important analysis about equipment had not been included. | Mr Walker, however, said he was concerned important analysis about equipment had not been included. |
| The US defence department has told BBC News the coroner was provided with a "redacted report" of the US investigation - the same report provided to the US next of kin - and permission was given for witness statements to be used in court. | The US defence department has told BBC News the coroner was provided with a "redacted report" of the US investigation - the same report provided to the US next of kin - and permission was given for witness statements to be used in court. |
| The coroner, earlier this year, criticised the American authorities for failing to provide "vital" information at the inquest into the 'friendly fire' death of Matty Hull. | The coroner, earlier this year, criticised the American authorities for failing to provide "vital" information at the inquest into the 'friendly fire' death of Matty Hull. |