Army

Lynx Helicopter Inquest: "Significant Question Marks" Remain

A coroner says undermanning and unsatisfactory training contributed to a Lynx helicopter crash that killed five UK servicemen.

A narrative verdict was delivered at an inquest into the deaths of the men who were killed when the aircraft went down in Afghanistan on 26th April 2014.

Captain Thomas Clarke, Warrant Officer Spencer Faulkner and Corporal James Walters, all of the Army Air Corps (AAC), were serving as the Lynx aircraft's three-man team when they died.

They lost their lives together with Flight Lieutenant Rakesh Chauhan, of the Royal Air Force, and Lance Corporal Oliver Thomas, of the Intelligence Corps.

A MOD spokesperson said:

“Our thoughts remain with the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident - Captain Thomas Clarke, Flight Lieutenant Rakesh Chauhan, Warrant Officer Class 2 Spencer Faulkner, Corporal James Walters and Lance Corporal Oliver Thomas.

“This incident was subject to a thorough Service Inquiry and steps have since been taken to minimise the risk of it happening again. We will now study the coroner’s findings carefully to identify any further lessons that may be learnt.”

Speaking after the verdict, families of those killed in the crash said they felt "let down" by the Ministry of Defence and that "significant question marks" remain over what caused the accident.

In a statement read out on the court steps, the family of Lance Corporal Thomas said:

"The Ministry of Defence, and those involved, had a duty of care to their employees and passengers, and in our opinion they did not provide Oliver with this by their failure to adhere to the rules and procedures set out, and as a family we feel very let down."

More from Forces TV: Victims Of Lynx Helicopter Crash Remembered

Cover photo: A different Lynx Mk 9A helicopter flying over the desert in Afghanistan in July 2010