This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/5314358.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'Fire reported' by crashed Nimrod 'Fire reported' by crashed Nimrod
(about 4 hours later)
The crew of an RAF reconnaissance plane reported a fire shortly before it crashed in Afghanistan with the loss of 14 lives, the force's chief has said.The crew of an RAF reconnaissance plane reported a fire shortly before it crashed in Afghanistan with the loss of 14 lives, the force's chief has said.
Twelve RAF personnel, a Royal Marine and an Army soldier were on board the Nimrod MR2 which came down on Saturday.Twelve RAF personnel, a Royal Marine and an Army soldier were on board the Nimrod MR2 which came down on Saturday.
Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy said a routine air-to-air refuelling had taken place just before a mayday call was received. Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy said a routine air-to-air refuelling had taken place just before a mayday call was received.
Indications are a technical problem was linked to a blaze, he told Channel 4.Indications are a technical problem was linked to a blaze, he told Channel 4.
"We have definitely got an early report that the pilot reported a technical problem connected with fire," he said."We have definitely got an early report that the pilot reported a technical problem connected with fire," he said.
The Nimrod was said to have completed routine mid-air refuelling at 20,000 ft (6,000 m).The Nimrod was said to have completed routine mid-air refuelling at 20,000 ft (6,000 m).
"It was obviously carrying out a surveillance operation over Afghanistan and all the indications from the circumstances, from the information that we have at the moment, are that it was technical malfunction," the air chief marshal said."It was obviously carrying out a surveillance operation over Afghanistan and all the indications from the circumstances, from the information that we have at the moment, are that it was technical malfunction," the air chief marshal said.
Claims by the Taleban that they had shot the plane down have been dismissed.Claims by the Taleban that they had shot the plane down have been dismissed.
Air Chief Marshal Torpy also said it was "pretty unlikely" that a Taleban missile had hit the disabled plane as it flew at low altitude.Air Chief Marshal Torpy also said it was "pretty unlikely" that a Taleban missile had hit the disabled plane as it flew at low altitude.
The Nimrod was equipped with "very comprehensive" defensive facilities, he said.The Nimrod was equipped with "very comprehensive" defensive facilities, he said.