The Campaign For Justice
For The Pilots of ZD576
“ONLY IN CASES IN WHICH THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT WHATSOEVER SHOULD DECEASED AIRCREW BE FOUND NEGLIGENT”
AP3207 – RAF Manual of Flight Safety, Chapter 8, Appendix G, page 9.
LATEST NEWS!
Seventeen years ago, Flight Lieutenants Jonathan Tapper and Richard Cook were posthumously blamed for the Chinook helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre. The decision, made by two Air Marshalls at the top of the RAF chain of command, ignored the results of the RAF's own internal Board of Inquiry which found that no blame could be attributed to the pilots and was in direct contravention of the rules in place at that time which required that in order to be found guilty of negligence there has to be absolutely no doubt whatsoever.
Families of the pilots, along with those of many who died in the accident, and others from both military and civilian backgrounds campaigned relentlessly ever since to pressure successive Governments to overturn this injustice. Despite numerous enquiries and reviews, including a House of Lords Select Committee, finding that the Air Marshals opinions fell short of the required burden of proof, the MoD has consistently refused to remove the terrible slur against Jon and Rick.
The announcement today by the Government finally clears Flt Lt Tapper and Flt Lt Cook of blame for the accident and is welcomed by their families. A full statement will be issued in due course.
There have been many people who have contributed over the years to the result announced today and they should all be proud of their contribution. Each has played a part in returning the reputations of two fine men back to their families and we cannot thank you all enough. Please forgive us, but there are too many to thank individually, but without their help and support we would not be where we are today.
“Justice has no expiry date”
Link to the Phillip Report - click here
Link to the Hansard record of Liam Fox's statement - click here
Click here to contact the campaign team
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