Nimrod crash report to be released

The families of 14 service personnel killed when a spy plane crashed over Afghanistan are preparing to hear details of the disaster.The ageing Nimrod MR2 reconnaissance aircraft, call sign XV230, went down on September 2 last year while carrying out an intelligence-gathering mission.It was the biggest loss of life suffered by British forces in a single incident since the Falklands War.It has been widely reported that the aircraft suffered a catastrophic mid-air explosion after a fire broke out in the bomb bay following a fuel leak.If that is confirmed when Defence Secretary Des Browne announces the findings of the Board of Inquiry in a statement to MPs, it will lead to fresh questions as to why the aircraft was allowed to carry on flying.The RAF is already facing accusations that it ignored repeated warnings that the Nimrod MR2 had a history of dangerous fuel leaks - particularly aircraft flying intensive operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.The existing fleet of 15 planes had originally been due to leave service a decade ago, but a series of lengthy delays to their replacement - the Nimrod MR4A - mean that they will have to carry on to around 2011.© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

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ITN | December 4, 2007

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