AN INDEPENDENT review into a fatal Nimrod crash in which a former Ellesmere Port 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, who spent his early years living in the town.
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 Graeme, five.
Last Wednesday October 28 aviation lawyer Charles Haddon-Cave QC published the findings of his 22-month review into the accident.
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 should be taken against them.
