asked the Minister for Communications if his Department has received any information from the official investigators at Farnborough, Hampshire, as to the causes of the tragedy of 13 November 1984 involving the Rockwell Aero Commander aircraft.
Written Answers. - Aircraft Accident Investigation.
85.
The investigation by the British aeronautical authorities into the Eastbourne tragedy on November 13 last is still continuing and I understand that no information as to the cause of the accident will be available for some time. It is not possible to say at this stage when the investigation, to which an officer of my Department has been accredited, will be concluded.
86.
asked the Minister for Communications if he is aware of the statistics from the American National Transportation Safety Board indicating 18 fatal accidents between 1966 and 1982 of the model of aircraft known as the Rockwell Aero Commander; and if he will indicate whether there is any action open to him in the matter.
Following the Eastbourne tragedy, my Department requested from the International Civil Aviation Organisation a print-out of accidents to the Rockwell Aero Commander aircraft. The print-out, which covers the period July 1975 to August 1984, lists 13 accidents to Rockwell Commander aircraft. Of these, four accidents involved fatalities. A print-out of similar information from the American National Transportation Safety Board has not yet been received. The accident to the Rockwell Commander involved in the Eastbourne tragedy is being investigated by the British aeronautical authorities and an officer of my Department has been accredited to the investigation.