Nimrod crash death in which Flintshire man died was ‘preventable’

Oct 29 2009 by Lois York, Flintshire Chronicle

AN INDEPENDENT review into a fatal Nimrod crash in which a Flintshire man was killed has ruled the incident was preventable.

The Nimrod surveillance plane exploded in mid-air near Kandahar in 2006, killing 14 crewmen and causing the biggest single loss of life for UK forces since the Falklands War.

Among them was Flight Lieutenant Allan Squires, whose parents Brian and Anne Squires lived in Burntwood Road, Buckley, until about 10 years ago, when they moved to the Isle of Man.

Allan, a 39-year-old dad-of-two, was raised in Buckley and attended Hawarden High School. He was based and lived in RAF Kinloss, Nairn, in Scotland, with his wife Adele and children Abbie, eight, and five-year-old

Yesterday, leading aviation lawyer Charles Haddon-Cave QC published the findings of his 22-month review into what went wrong.

He was asked by the Government to rule where responsibility lies for any failings and was given powers to recommend a public inquiry if he thinks it necessary.

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth told the Commons the independent review had “identified a failure of leadership, culture and priorities”.

He said the Ministry of Defence was committed to addressing the numerous weaknesses in the RAF’s system for ensuring the airworthiness of the aircraft it flies.

However he said Mr Haddon-Cave had found no reason to recommend the grounding of the ageing Nimrod MR2 fleet.

Two RAF officers were moved to staff posts following the report. The RAF will now consider if further action would be takenagainst them.