The RAF Board of Inquiry is not yet in a position
to say what caused the crash, the Ministry of Defence said.
Nine airmen and one soldier were killed in the incident, which
was the biggest single loss of British life in Iraq since
the war began.
Group Captain Oborn said: "Releasing the interim findings
is a very unusual step to take. It is a normal part of the
board of inquiry but the Secretary of State decided to make
the information publicly available. My general reaction is
to welcome the report as it discounts a number of reasons
for the cause of the crash."
He is particularly pleased the findings exonerated his men
of blame. "For the families and for us it would not have
been a pleasant result if it had been a controlled flight
into the ground," he said. "We now know there were
no mistakes by the aircrew. The fact that it was not wing
fatigue is also welcome. There was a lot of press speculation
that it could have been fatigue, which was worrying for the
many of us who still fly the C130K. That was reassuring. The
report lays down ten things that it discounts, but opens up
speculation on what it could have been."
Gp Capt Oborn refused to comment on the prospect that the
plane was shot down by insurgents, saying he would prefer
to wait for the final results of the investigation. He said
bereaved relatives were briefed on the outcome of the interim
report by the MoD on Friday. The families have been kept in
the picture every step of the way they are foremost
in the board of inquiry's mind," he said. "Like
me, they welcomed the fact that pilot error had been ruled
out. My focus stays with the families as we still have the
difficult job of the funerals to deal with."
North Wiltshire MP James Gray said he was glad the interim
report had been published relatively speedily. "It lays
to rest some of the wild rumours that have been circulating
which have been unhelpful and distressing for the families,
and if it had been found to be mechanical failure owing to
a shortage of servicing that would have been difficult for
the people at the base who would have felt they hadn't done
their jobs properly."
Mr Gray said "The results seemed to almost certainly
point the finger at enemy fire. Nothing will reduce the families'
grief but enemy fire is the most acceptable reason for the
crash," he said. "When you work in the forces you
understand that ultimately, it's a possibility."
The bodies of the ten men are still with Wiltshire coroner
David Masters, and there is no update on when they may be
released. "The coroner has written to the families directly
to explain the process and the difficulties he is facing,"
said Gp Capt Oborn. "There are lots of technical bits
and bobs which is why it's taking so long."
Money is still rolling into the base's Balad Aircraft Fund,
which is being backed by the Gazette, and Gp Capt Oborn thanked
people for continuing to contribute. Small amounts are still
coming in so I expect we'll end up with a few thousand pounds,"
he said. "We have decided on a memorial garden here at
RAF Lyneham, which will include plants and some kind of plaque
to recognise the men. It has to be something we can move as
we won't be here forever." |
