Chinook Crash

Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many helicopters, broken
down by type, other than Chinooks, were stationed in Northern Ireland in May and June 1994; and
where they were based; [150405]
(2) what other helicopters were available at the base in Northern Ireland from which
Chinook DZ 576 departed on its last flight on 2 June 1994; how many of each type there
were; and how many passengers each type could have transported from RAF Aldergrove to
the destination of ZD 576. [150407]
Mr. Spellar [holding answer 14 February 2001]: Figures for the number of helicopters stationed in
Northern Ireland in May and June 1994 are no longer held. However, details of the notional number
of helicopters available for tasking in December 1994 are shown. Notional numbers of helicopters
available for tasking in May and June 1994 would have been very similar. Figures for the number of
passengers which each aircraft can transport are also shown.

11 Gazelle (2 passengers)

7 Lynx (9 passengers)

2 Sea Kings (17 passengers)

7 Wessex (6 passengers)

7 Puma (12 passengers).

Gazelle and Wessex helicopters would need to refuel during a sortie from RAF Aldergrove to Fort
George.
All of these aircraft were based at RAF Aldergrove except for the following:

Armagh--2 Lynx

Belfast--1 Gazelle

Bessbrook--2 Lynx, 1 Puma, 1 Sea King

Dungannon--1 Wessex

Omagh--1 Gazelle, 1 Puma, 1 Wessex

Portadown--1 Gazelle.
Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance was given to his
Department by the Boeing company in investigating the crash of helicopter ZD 576. [150408]
Mr. Spellar [holding answer 14 February 2001]: The air frame manufacturers, Boeing Helicopters,
provided on site assistance to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch Inspector. Subsequently,
between June and December 1994 Boeing also provided extensive assistance with the investigation
of the wreckage while it was laid out at DRA Farnborough and further specific assistance was
provided on items returned to Boeing Helicopters Philadelphia for examination and testing.
The RAF Board of Inquiry into the accident consulted Boeing and obtained computer simulations
of possible flight paths and associated data concerning flight control parameters.
Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the sound levels in decibels are
inside the passenger area of a Chinook helicopter. [150402]
15 Feb 2001 : Column: 194W
Mr. Spellar [holding answer 14 February 2001]: The noise in the passenger cabin of a Chinook
Mk1 aircraft was measured over a series of 25 sorties during August 1993 and the mean levels were
103.5 decibels and 87.8 decibels. Such measurements are not available for the Chinook Mk2
aircraft, but would not be significantly different.
Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many of the passengers who
were killed in the Chinook helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre travelled by aircraft to the base
from which they departed in Chinook ZD 576; [150404]
(2) on how many occasions Flight Lieutenants (a) Cook and (b) Tapper had flown
helicopters and of what types over or adjacent to the Mull of Kintyre between 1 June 1993
and 2 June 1994. [150406]
Mr. Spellar [holding answer 14 February 2001]: The details requested in these two questions are
not known.
Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Chinook helicopters were
flown (a) into and (b) out of Northern Ireland on 2 June 1994; and what their flight times and routes
were. [150410]
Mr. Spellar [holding answer 14 February 2001]: No Chinook helicopters flew into Northern
Ireland on 2 June 1994. One flew out, that being Chinook ZD 576 which left RAF Aldergrove at
17.42 hours, en route to Fort George.
Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) (a) when, (b) where and (c) by
whom helicopter ZD 576 was fitted with FADEC; and when the aircraft (i) entered service with the
armed forces and (ii) was built; [150414]
(2) if he will list the way points of the flight of Chinook helicopter ZD 576 on 2 June 1994,
indicating the altitude which the aircraft was supposed to maintain between each way point.
[150412]
Mr. Spellar [holding answer 14 February 2001]: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my
letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for how long tasking records of
helicopter flights are normally retained; in what form they are stored; how long they are retained in
the case of an accident; and if the tasking records of the last flight of helicopter ZD 576 have been
retained. [150409]
Mr. Spellar [holding answer 14 February 2001]: Tasking forms recording helicopter flights in
Northern Ireland are retained for six years. However in the case of an accident the relevant tasking
record for the day it occurred will normally be held as part of the Board of Inquiry papers, for as
long as it is necessary to retain the latter. The 2 June 1994 tasking record for Chinook ZD 576 is
still retained with the RAF Board of Inquiry report.
Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and which Chinook
helicopters were stationed in Northern Ireland in the months of May and June 1994; and from
which bases they operated. [150403]
Mr. Spellar [holding answer 14 February 2001]: At that time two Chinook helicopters were
detached to Northern Ireland. In May 1994 these were Mk1s until
15 Feb 2001 : Column: 195W
31 May when ZD 576, the first Chinook Mk2 to operate in Northern Ireland, was delivered to RAF
Aldergrove, and one of the Mk1s was flown back to RAF Odiham. All the Chinook aircraft in
Northern Ireland operate out of RAF Aldergrove and return there at the end of the day's tasking.
Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when it was decided, and by whom,
that Chinook helicopter ZD 576 would be used on the flight on which it crashed on 2 June 1994.
[150411]
Mr. Spellar [holding answer 14 February 2001]: The flight was tasked by the Joint Air Tasking
Operations Centre (JATOC) in Northern Ireland on 1 June 1994.