Ex-RAF test pilot says Chinook crashed on safety 'show flight'

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Calum Watson and Megan Bonar from BBC Scotland News report that a Chinook helicopter crash in Scotland over three decades ago resulted in the tragic death of 29 individuals. The incident occurred in June 1994 when RAF Chinook ZD576 crashed into a hillside in foggy conditions over the Mull of Kintyre. Retired Squadron Leader Robert Burke revealed that the helicopter was being flown as a “show flight” despite safety concerns raised about its airworthiness.

According to Sq Ldr Burke, the Mark 2 version of the Chinook was selected to demonstrate to the Army that an upgrade from the Mark 1 version was safe. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) expressed sympathy towards the families of the deceased but maintained that the crash circumstances had been thoroughly investigated. The claims come ahead of the re-airing of a BBC documentary raising concerns about the airworthiness of the Mark 2 Chinook.

Many of the passengers who perished in the crash were senior members of the security services traveling from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland to Fort George near Inverness for a conference concerning the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Despite reservations and requests to use other aircraft, the Mark 2 Chinook was utilized for the flight, sparking allegations of internal politics influencing the decision-making process. Files related to the crash will remain confidential for a century, leading to suspicions of a cover-up.

Patricia Conroy, who lost her father in the tragic incident, expressed profound disappointment upon learning that the flight was conducted as a mere display to appease disputes between the RAF and the Army. Several families impacted by the crash have united in urging the UK government to conduct a public inquiry. The MoD’s response, however, has indicated that a new inquiry would not yield additional evidence or conclusions beyond the existing investigations conducted over the years

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