News

Nosedive Voyager Pilot Dismissed From The RAF

The pilot of an RAF Voyager that plummeted thousands of feet in a matter of seconds while en route to Afghanistan has been dismissed from the RAF by a court martial and given a 4-month jail sentence suspended for 12 months.

Flight Lieutenant Andrew Townshend pleaded guilty to negligently performing his duty.

Earlier this week he was found not guilty on three other charges - two counts of perjury and one of making a false record.

The Voyager departed RAF Brize Norton for Camp Bastion with 189 passengers on board, in February 2014.

Four hours into the journey, the plane went into a nosedive over the Black Sea and plummeted 4,400ft in 27 seconds.

Prior to sentencing, prosecutor Mr Nigel Lickley QC told the court of the consequences of Flt Lt Townshend's actions.

Mr Lickley QC raised the costs of the Voyager fleet being grounded for 13 days after the incident from the 9th to the 21st of February.

He told the court, according to information from Air Commodore Lushington, that several million pounds were paid to Airtanker for Service Defence, despite the fleet being grounded.

The repairs to the affected aircraft cost £207,000 including a new side and new ceiling panels.

In order to backfill the scheduled Voyager flights, £827,000 was paid for civilian aircraft to replace services.

Mr Lickley QC also referred to injuries, both physical and mental, suffered by some of the 198 military personnel onboard.

The physical injuries included spinal injuries, musculoskeletal injuries, cuts and bruising.

The mental injuries included stress, flashbacks and fear of flying which led to one crew member leaving the RAF.

Defence counsel Mr John Price QC called Flt Lt Townshend an 'admirable and conscientious officer'.

He noted that the 'consequences make this an unusual case', adding 'they were not intended, they were not foreseen'.

Mr Price QC added Flt Lt Townshend would be a 'serious loss to the RAF were he to be dismissed from service'.

He added that Flt Lt Townshend has 'already suffered substantial punishment' having to 'endure almost three years of fear' due to the prolonged proceedings'.