MoD Report – Fuel Leak Caused 2006 RAF Nimrod Crash
The Ministry of Defence’s inquiry into what caused the fatal crash of an RAF Nimrod in 2006 has now been published. It finds the probable cause to be a fuel leak which took place after the Nimrod had taken part in air-to-air refuelling.
Des Browne, the UK Defence Secretary, has conveyed his apologies to the families of the 14 killed when the Nimrod MR2 came down in Afghanistan last year.
Defence Secretary Browne: RAF Nimrod Fleet Safe
Mr Browne was adamant that the remaining Royal Air Force Nimrod fleet was safe to fly. However, he stated that an assessment of the procedures involved in ensuring the Nimrods’ risk-free operation and airworthiness would take place.
"My department has taken a number of steps to ensure that a similar accident cannot occur again”, he said, adding: "We are learning the lessons from the accident and have already implemented many of the recommendations of the BOI report."
Among the measures covered by the last statement are studies of the Nimrod’s fuel system and the procedures associated with air-to-air refuelling.
MoD Report: Leaking Coupling or Fuel Tank Overflow the Likely Leak Cause
At its conclusion, the Ministry of Defence’s Board of Inquiry report highlights the likelihood of fuel having leaked either due to a leaking coupling, or a fuel tank that was overflowing. It seemed that the fuel became alight upon making contact with hot air pipes – the temperature of which could have reached 400 degrees centigrade.
The report additionally portrays a number of scenarios that may have played a part, including the age of certain parts of the Nimrod’s infrastructure.
"On behalf of the MoD and the Royal Air Force...”, said Mr Browne, “...I would like to apologise to the House of Commons, and most of all to those who lost their lives, and to their families.
"I am sorry."
According to Air Chief Marshall Sir Glenn Torpy, the Chief of the Air Staff, the crew of the fated Nimrod had "behaved in an exemplary manner during the tragic events". Referring to the report, Sir Glenn highlighted how those on board "were faced with a series of complex and demanding emergencies and acted throughout with calm professionalism, and did everything possible to save their aircraft".
"Their families, friends and colleagues should be very proud of them all", he concluded.
Source – Armed Forces International’s Aviation Expert
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