Safety modifications in response to 2006 Nimrod crash

Lawyers who represented the families of 14 British servicemen killed in an RAF Nimrod crash in 2006, today welcomed the news all Nimrod’s that have not undergone vital safety modifications are to be grounded.

The aircraft, currently based overseas, will be withdrawn on 31 March to have their engine bay hot air ducts replaced.

The decision was made following an inquest into the deaths of the 14 servicemen which was caused when, shortly after air to air fuelling, leaking fuel came into contact with a hot air pipe. Coroner Andrew Walker called for the entire fleet to be grounded.

Andrew Tucker, from Irwin Mitchell solicitors, who represented all 14 families at the Inquest said: "We welcome the fact that these safety measures are now going to be implemented, but are concerned by how long it has taken. The Coroner made such recommendations in May 2008 but they have taken 10 months to be carried out.

"The safety of Service personnel on operations is paramount and we will be interested to read the final report from the nimrod review being under taken by Mr Haddon-Cave QC which should be released later this year."