Crime & Justice
Families of 1994 RAF Chinook crash victims take legal challenge against Ministry of Defence to High Court
July 14, 2026 at 03:06 PM
Coverage
The High Court heard arguments on whether to allow a judicial review of the Ministry of Defence's handling of the 1994 Chinook crash that killed 29 people.
- The Chinook Justice Campaign, representing families of the victims, asked the court to allow a judicial review and order a judge-led public inquiry into the crash.
- Lawyers for the families argued the helicopter was flown with known airworthiness problems, including a safety-critical engine control system with a "density of deficiencies".
- The Ministry of Defence argued the claim was brought too late and that further investigation would serve no practical purpose given the passage of time and prior inquiries.
- The 1994 crash on the Mull of Kintyre killed all 29 on board; a 2011 review exonerated the pilots but did not determine the cause.
