On September 2, 2006, Nimrod MR2 XV230, a reconnaissance aircraft in the Royal Air Force, flew over southern Afghanistan in support of a NATO-led offensive against the Taliban. An RAF Harrier aircraft followed the Nimrod down and the pilot saw a wing explode, followed a few seconds later by the rest of the aircraft. Having served on all the Kinloss squadrons, Steve’s professional ability, coupled with his dry sense of humour and positive attitude, was well known to everyone. Always willing to work hard, he loved his flying, along with the camaraderie and team spirit which he found as part of a Nimrod crew and the Royal Air Force. He will be sadly missed by all who had the good fortune to know him. Contents. 11 years later, 2nd September 2006, Nimrod XV230 crashed whilst carrying out a … Nov 1980: Nimrod crashes after bird strike near Kinloss, Moray. Shortly after the incident RAF Kinloss Station Commander Group Captain Chris Birks said: I am very deeply saddened about the deaths of twelve air crew from Royal Air Force Kinloss in a Nimrod accident over Afghanistan. A devoted and committed family man, he leaves behind his wife, Rayna, and daughter, Angela. He failed properly to utilise the resources available to him within the Nimrod IPT to ensure the airworthiness of the Nimrod fleet. The airplane operated on a local flight out of Toronto-Pearson International Airport, ON (YYZ). Flt Lt Allan Squires, 39, from Clatterbridge, was a universally loved and respected member of the Kinloss family. Crews on the RAF's ageing Nimrod spy planes have reported more than 300 fuel leaks in the two years since the disastrous crash which claimed 14 lives in Afghanistan in September 2006. Nimrod XW666 departed on a routine post-servicing airtest. An avid supporter of the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess and stalwart member of the Committee, he brought the same infectious enthusiasm and drive to the Mess as he did to all his duties. Relatives of 14 soldiers killed in Nimrod crash played last cockpit recording . The Nimrod Review: an independent review into the broader issues surrounding the loss of the RAF Nimrod MR2 aircraft XV230 in Afghanistan in 2006 report - Full Text Ref: ISBN 9780102962659 , … Mathew Knight (L) grieves while standing next to his father Graham outside the RAF Kinloss base at Kinloss in Moray, Scotland, September 4, 2006. We will provide further information as soon as there is more to say. [6] Witnesses included local men Abdul Manan, Afshan Hararoot and Haji Eisamuddin. On 23 May 2008 the assistant deputy coroner for Oxfordshire, Andrew Walker, handed down a narrative ruling that it had "never been airworthy from the first time it was released to the service nearly 40 years ago". Defence Secretary Des … I am sorry for the mistakes that have been made and the lives that have been lost as a result of our failure. On Tuesday 16 May 1995, a Royal Air Force Nimrod R1 aircraft suffered an in-flight engine fire which led to the aircraft having to ditch in the Moray Firth.This was the first of two Nimrods to be lost in 1995; it was followed by the crash of a Nimrod MR2 in Canada in September. It exploded in a ball of flames just moments after air-to-air refuelling near Kandahar in September 2006. A cockpit tape recording of the last moments of … His great sense of fun and compassion made him an exceptional crew member. The search was then postponed for a day to allow the air show to continue. The crew, most of whom were based at RAF Kinloss in Moray, Scotland, died on September 2, 2006, when their Nimrod exploded moments after mid-air refuelling above Kandahar. In December 2008 the Defence Secretary John Hutton was served with a writ by relatives of two of 14 men who died. This was the sport in which he excelled, sharing his experience with countless people over his years as a Kinloss club instructor. His considerable contribution will be sorely missed across the maritime fleet where his friends will hold him affectionately in their memory. Inquests into the 14 deaths are currently taking place. To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Later in the day an RAF crew flew XV230 to its base at RAF St Mawgan, Cornwall, where the Nimrod maritime operational training unit (MOTD) was to be formed. Sergeant John Langton, 29, from Liverpool was a highly professional member of the Royal Air Force who had an illustrious career as a RAF Regiment Gunner before joining No. "It seems to me that this is a case where I would be failing in my duty if I didn't report action to the relevant authority that would prevent future fatalities,", "I have given the matter considerable thought and I see no alternative but to report to the secretary of state that the Nimrod fleet should not fly until the Alarp [as low as reasonably practicable] standards are met. The best opportunity to prevent the accident to XV230 was tragically lost. Receiving XV230 were the AOC-in Chief of Coastal Command, Air Marshal Sir John Lapsley. Ady was the epitome of the professional aviator and excelled in everything he did; a quiet person but always there with a smile, a handshake and a tip for a colleague. Nimrod crash families hear recording of crew's final moments. As well as first class personnel these were colleagues and friends of myself and my other personnel. It’s simple to add images, categories, latest post, social media icon links, tag clouds, and more. Over the years, Gareth’s cheerful and easy-going nature made him many friends in the maritime fleet and in the wider community. Flt Lt Gareth Nicholas, 40, from Newquay, Cornwall, was a seasoned maritime aviator, an experienced professional Weapons Systems Officer and a former acoustics operator. A loyal, brave, intelligent and dependable man he was an outstanding soldier with a bright future ahead of him. [5], The crash site was about 25 miles (40 kilometres) west-north-west of Kandahar Airfield (which is located 10 miles (16 kilometres) south-east of the city of Kandahar) between two villages called Chil Khor and Fatehullah Qala in the Panjwaye District. [14][15] The MR4 replacement aircraft was cancelled entirely following the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review.[16]. Flight Sergeant Gerard Bell, better known to his colleagues as ‘Gez’, aged 48, was from Ely, Cambridgeshire. All twelve were from Number 120 Squadron based here at Kinloss. Gary was an experienced SNCO who had recently returned to the job he loved - on the Front Line, in his third tour of duty on the Nimrod MR2. He joined the Royal Marines in November 2002, completing Recruit Training in June 2003. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone. The recovery effort was immediately set in motion; divers initially located the wreckage, which had broken into four sections, but were unable to locate the crew. There were seven crew members on board. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Away from work, Steve lived in an idyllic cottage in the Scottish countryside where he was a dedicated father to Victoria and Charlotte and a loving husband to Jan. Steve will be sadly missed by all who knew him. 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