Official Report Confirms Hercules was Shot Down
The Official MoD Report into the circumstances surrounding a C130K Hercules crash in January 2005, in which eight Lyneham based airman and two passengers died, has been released today.

Defence Secretary Mr John Reid announced in the House of Commons, that the findings of the Board of Inquiry, which was conducted to determine the possible reasons why Hilton 22, crashed on a short ferry trip in Iraq earlier this year.

The in depth Inquiry found that the most likely cause of the biggest single loss of British forces in Iraq, was that Hercules XV179 was hit by ground-to-air fire.

The aircraft took off at 1622 GMT on 30 January from Baghdad airport on a routine flight to the massive US base at Balad - on the day Iraq held historic elections. The aircraft reported a fire six minutes after take-off from Baghdad and a distress signal was sent. It was reported missing 24 minutes later and the wreckage was found by US helicopters 25 minutes later, about 40km (25 miles) north west of Baghdad.

Defence Secretary Mr Reid said in Parliament: "The board has determined that the aircraft crashed as a result of hostile ground-to-air fire which caused an explosion in the right hand wing fuel tank. This explosion caused the outboard section of the wing to separate from the rest of the wing at which point the aircraft immediately became uncontrollable."

He continued "Whatever had happened after the time at which it (the plane) was hit... would not have averted what ultimately transpired. There had been 800 cases of ground-to-air fire against British aircraft in the 18 months before the incident. There was a degree of perchance or [bad] luck on this occasion".

Mr Reid said the investigation board had made a number of recommendations, some of which had been acted on already:

• The lack of intelligence was a factor in the crash and recommended a more reliable and timely system to keep air crews updated
• The fitting of a fuel tank "inerting system", which replaces oxygen with an inert gas like nitrogen to avoid explosions, was being investigated "as a matter of urgency."
• Low level Hercules C130 flying in daylight was now being avoided "whenever possible".

Mr Reid said the tactic of low flying during daylight was not going to be prohibited totally , but to allow in-theatre commanders to be able to choose the safest and most appropriate operational action.

An earlier interim report issued in March already eliminated rumoured causes of the accident. Reports that the Hercules had been adapted to carry out special forces operations added to the speculation as to why the aircraft was flying so low over dangerous territory north of Baghdad. Investigators said the C130 had not been sabotaged, but did not rule out the possibility it was shot down. It eliminated ten potential causes ­ bird strike, lightening strike, mid-air collision, controlled flight into the ground, wire/obstacle strike, restriction in the aircraft's flying controls, cargo explosion, engine fire, sabotage and aircraft fatigue.

In today's account of the crash, the MOD said the Hercules, which was built in 1967, took off in clear weather from Baghdad at 1324 GMT, heading for the Balad air base north of the Iraqi capital. The report said the pilot and eight crew "utilised low level flying as a tactic because they were on a short leg and staying low mitigated the risk of climbing and descending through hostile ground-to-air threat".

The released inquiry today, approximately forty-seven weeks after the tragic incident, will have brought some relief to the families and friends of the fallen heroes. Some of the questions have been answered and what is particularly reassuring the findings exonerated the gallant airmen of blame. For the families and for us, it would not have been a pleasant result if different. Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, Chief of the Air Staff, [pictured left] said: "Ever since that tragic day in January, the families and friends of our lost comrades have been foremost in our thoughts. They have waited long and patiently to learn what happened to their loved ones, and the Board of Inquiry has now offered them answers. It is clear that the aircraft was shot down by hostile fire. The crew did all that they should, and all that we would expect of such brave and professional airmen." The incident only highlights the extreme risk our airmen from RAF Lyneham undertake around the clock, 365 days a year, notably the first-in and last-out to all major global conflicts, something that is synonymous to the Wiltshire airbase. The local community are extremely proud of what the airmen and airwomen of our forces do for our country. The Hilton 22 crew were 'one of the best' from the 'best station' in the Royal Air Force.