KashifAsrar
SENIOR MEMBER
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2006
- Messages
- 1,008
- Reaction score
- 0
Inquiry into Afghan crash begins
The plane was a Nimrod MR2
An investigation has begun to find out why an RAF plane crashed in southern Afghanistan, killing 14 UK forces personnel on board.
The Nimrod MR2 reconnaissance aircraft came down near the city of Kandahar.
It is believed a technical fault was to blame for the loss of the plane, which came from RAF Kinloss in Moray.
Defence Secretary Des Browne paid tribute to those who had died and dismissed claims by the Taleban that militia had shot down the plane.
He said: "The Taleban regularly make claims which we know to be untrue and I think in this case, this is instructive of the nature of their dishonesty."
He called the crash "dreadful, shocking news", saying that the priority was to help the families of those who had died.
It was not enemy fire that brought the plane down, it was equipment malfunction
Twelve RAF personnel, a Royal Marine and an Army soldier were on board the plane. The next of kin have been informed of the tragedy.
Mr Browne added: "In Afghanistan, we have secured the site and the investigation has begun.
"I can confirm that the indications both before the crash and since suggest that this has been a dreadful, tragic accident."
Patrick Mercer, the Conservative spokesman on Homeland Security, said British forces in Afghanistan needed to be better equipped if the campaign was to be successful.
Major Luke Knittig, a spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), said the aircraft, which had been acting in a support role to the Nato-led force battling the Taleban, had made an emergency call shortly before it disappeared.
Coalition helicopters were reportedly seen flying to the scene of the crash, about 20 km (12 miles) west of the city of Kandahar.
Defence analyst Dr Alexandra Ashbourne said the investigation into why the plane went down would focus on a number of areas.
" ," she said.
"It is normally a very safe plane but something catastrophic has clearly happened."
Aviation journalist, Jim Ferguson, said the reconnaissance planes had been operating in and around the country for some time.
"It is used a lot for search and rescue and it may well be doing other interesting tasks out in Afghanistan."
The pilot is believed to have radioed ground staff about a technical fault shortly before the aircraft came down.
The crash brings the death toll of UK forces personnel in Afghanistan to 36 since the start of operations in November 2001.
Afghanistan is experiencing its bloodiest period since the fall of the Taleban in 2001, with much of the fighting concentrated in the south.
There are 5,500 British troops in the country, helping to train Afghan security forces
, facilitate reconstruction and provide security.
Over past few months Nato troops have been involved in deepening counter-insurgency operations, BBC defence correspondent Paul Wood said.
He added that the plane is said to have been flying a surveillance mission to support a Nato operation in the town of Panjwayi, a town regularly threatened by the Taleban.
"As operations intensify in the south, Nato has given itself six months to show that the Afghan government is on the winning side," our correspondent added.
A special MoD helpline is available on 08457 800 900 for families concerned about relatives.
The plane was a Nimrod MR2
An investigation has begun to find out why an RAF plane crashed in southern Afghanistan, killing 14 UK forces personnel on board.
The Nimrod MR2 reconnaissance aircraft came down near the city of Kandahar.
It is believed a technical fault was to blame for the loss of the plane, which came from RAF Kinloss in Moray.
Defence Secretary Des Browne paid tribute to those who had died and dismissed claims by the Taleban that militia had shot down the plane.
He said: "The Taleban regularly make claims which we know to be untrue and I think in this case, this is instructive of the nature of their dishonesty."
He called the crash "dreadful, shocking news", saying that the priority was to help the families of those who had died.
It was not enemy fire that brought the plane down, it was equipment malfunction
Twelve RAF personnel, a Royal Marine and an Army soldier were on board the plane. The next of kin have been informed of the tragedy.
Mr Browne added: "In Afghanistan, we have secured the site and the investigation has begun.
"I can confirm that the indications both before the crash and since suggest that this has been a dreadful, tragic accident."
Patrick Mercer, the Conservative spokesman on Homeland Security, said British forces in Afghanistan needed to be better equipped if the campaign was to be successful.
Major Luke Knittig, a spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), said the aircraft, which had been acting in a support role to the Nato-led force battling the Taleban, had made an emergency call shortly before it disappeared.
Coalition helicopters were reportedly seen flying to the scene of the crash, about 20 km (12 miles) west of the city of Kandahar.
Defence analyst Dr Alexandra Ashbourne said the investigation into why the plane went down would focus on a number of areas.
"
," she said. "It is normally a very safe plane but something catastrophic has clearly happened."
Aviation journalist, Jim Ferguson, said the reconnaissance planes had been operating in and around the country for some time.
"It is used a lot for search and rescue and it may well be doing other interesting tasks out in Afghanistan."
The pilot is believed to have radioed ground staff about a technical fault shortly before the aircraft came down.
The crash brings the death toll of UK forces personnel in Afghanistan to 36 since the start of operations in November 2001.
Afghanistan is experiencing its bloodiest period since the fall of the Taleban in 2001, with much of the fighting concentrated in the south.
There are 5,500 British troops in the country, helping to train Afghan security forces
, facilitate reconstruction and provide security. Over past few months Nato troops have been involved in deepening counter-insurgency operations, BBC defence correspondent Paul Wood said.
He added that the plane is said to have been flying a surveillance mission to support a Nato operation in the town of Panjwayi, a town regularly threatened by the Taleban.
"As operations intensify in the south, Nato has given itself six months to show that the Afghan government is on the winning side," our correspondent added.
A special MoD helpline is available on 08457 800 900 for families concerned about relatives.
