try again, the name must be unique You can also choose to be emailed when someone replies A Chinook helicopter crashed just a minute's flying time away from Sumburgh in Shetland in 1986. the same level of attention, but we have preserved this area in the interests of open debate. Security sources last night said others on board were likely to have been senior members of intelligence agencies and possibly members of the SAS.Last night the authorities displayed great sensitivity in giving details about the crash because of the secret nature of the conference. try again, the name must be uniquePlease "Thirty years on from the Chinook crash may seem like a long time but the memories are still vivid for those who lost their loved ones suddenly and tragically. will be published daily in dedicated articles. Security chiefs killed in air crash: 29 lost as helicopter 'explodes' off Scotland - Most of high command in war against terrorism said to have been on boardEmail already exists. The helicopter, with four crew and 12 troops, crashed into a hill 4 miles from its destination. {{#sender.isSelf}} 13 May 1986 Chinook HC.1 ZA715 crashed in bad weather in the Falkland Islands. "The service is an opportunity to commemorate all those no longer with us.
Only two people survived.Enter your email to follow new comments on this article.Are you sure you want to mark this comment as inappropriate?Want to discuss real-world problems, be involved in the most engaging discussions and hear from the journalists? Please Its investigators, along with those from the Department of Transport's air investigation branch, were due at the scene at first light today.Colleagues of the RUC men said they were stunned by the tragedy. Without question, the loss of this aircraft resulted in the worst and most tragic accident to occur in the history of the Chinook and all helicopters in general. The helicopter crashed into the sea and sank. This page contains many graphic and un-nerving photographs not intended for the weak at heart. The other 15 passengers included six senior Northern Ireland Office officials and top army personnel, some thought to be senior military intelligence officers on their way from Belfast to a top-secret security conference at Fort George military base outside Inverness.The dead included an RUC Assistant Chief Constable, Brian Fitzsimons, who heads the force's special branch, a chief superintendent and two superintendents. It seems the upper echelon of the special branch is missing. Please The incident has dealt a severe body-blow to intelligence structures within Northern Ireland.The importance to the security operation of those who died in the crash was summed up by a senior military source who said the 'high command in the war against the IRA' had been largely wiped out, although it was known the General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland was not aboard.Scottish police last night said early indications gave them no reason to suspect terrorist involvment and that the crash appear nothing other than a tragic accident. real-world solutions, and more.
Log in to update your newsletter preferencesPlease Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when try again, the name must be unique On 6 November 1986, a Boeing-Vertol Model 234LR Chinook helicopter returning workers from the Brent oilfield crashed on approach to land at Sumburgh Airport in the Shetland Islands.At 2.5 mi (4.0 km) from the runway the helicopter had a catastrophic forward transmission failure which caused the tandem rotor blades to collide. One said: 'The force is devastated. Twenty-nine people - including some of the most senior intelligence and security figures in the war against terrorism in Northern Ireland - died last night when an RAF Chinook helicopter crashed in thick fog on the Mull of Kintyre, off western Scotland.At least seven high-ranking special branch officers were among the 10 Royal Ulster Constabulary personnel on board the helicopter which had a crew of four. The service remembered all those who have died working in the UK's offshore industry.