Relatives of three RAF Lossiemouth servicemen who died in a plane crash have been handed the findings of an investigation into the incident.
The region was left stunned after two Tornado fast-jets collided in the Moray Firth on July 3 last year. Flight Lieutenant Adam Sanders, Squadron Leader Samuel Bailey and Flight Lieutenant Hywel Poole were in 15 (Reserve) Squadron, based at RAF Lossiemouth. A fourth man, who has not been officially named, survived.
The Military Aviation Authority (MAA) launched an independent investigation into the circumstances of the crash.
It emerged yesterday that details of the MAA’s Board of Inquiry findings have been passed to the victims’ families, who are prohibited from disclosing any information to the public.
The findings are expected to be sent to the fiscal to consider whether a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) should be held.
An MoD spokesman said yesterday: “The initial service inquiry has come to some conclusion and that information has been provided to the families.”
Investigations of this nature often take at least a year to complete. The inquiry involves a detailed examination of the black box recorders from the aircraft involved. The wreckage recovered from the Moray Firth has also been looked at in detail.
The aircrew had been taking part in a training exercise when their planes crashed into the sea, about 25 miles south of Wick. A major search-and-rescue operation was launched.