Chinook Helicopter Crash (1994)
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On 2 June 1994 a RAF Chinook helicopter carrying a group of intelligence experts crashed on the Mull of Kintyre, Scotland killing all passengers and crew.
It appears that the twin-engined Chinook ZD-576 flew into a hillside in dense fog. The helicopter was carrying 25 British intelligence experts from MI5, the Royal Ulster Constabulary, GCHQ and the British Army from Northern Ireland to the mainland of Scotland.
The official inquiry concluded that the crash was caused by pilot error, although this has often been disputed. Alternative theories point to problems with the RAFs upgrade program for their Chinook helicopters. In particular, other similarly upgraded helicopters had experienced problems with engine power delivery delays which may have been caused by control software.
The incident has been the subject of numerous investigations, partly because there is a dispute as to whether the crash was caused by pilot error or by mechanical failure following refit. Also the fact that the crash killed so many intelligence experts encourages speculation over official cover ups and conspiracy theories.
External links
- chinook-justice.org a web site run by the Mull of Kintyre Group who are campaigning for the cause of the crash to be further investigated, and for the Board of Inquiry conclusions to be changed.