Former RAF test pilot who cleared Chinook pilots dies aged 86

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 13:39 · Archive

Robert Burke, a former RAF chief test pilot who helped overturn wrongful accusations against two Chinook crash pilots, has died aged 86.

Former squadron leader Robert Burke from Hampshire died on October 26 at the age of 86 after a short illness. He had been a key supporter of the Chinook Justice Campaign, which was launched after a Chinook helicopter crashed on the Mull of Kintyre on 2 June 1994, killing 25 intelligence experts and four special forces crew whilst travelling from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland to Fort George near Inverness.

Flight Lieutenants Richard Cook and Jonathan Tapper were posthumously accused of gross negligence over the crash. The UK Government later overturned this finding after a 17-year campaign led by their families. A subsequent review by Lord Philip raised numerous concerns about the aircraft's airworthiness. Campaigners said Burke exposed serious concerns about the Chinook and challenged the Ministry of Defence's account of the crash.

Chris Cook, who campaigned to clear his brother Richard's name, said Burke was 'an officer of great integrity and professionalism' and that his 'knowledge, experience and witness testimony were critical in the long campaign to clear the pilots' names'. Susan Phoenix, widow of intelligence expert Ian Phoenix who died in the crash, also paid tribute to Mr Burke.

How it is being reported

• Former RAF test pilot who helped clear Chinook pilots dies aged 86Former RAF test pilot Robert Burke, who helped clear Chinook crash pilots Richard Cook and Jonathan Tapper, dies aged 86 on October 26.Romsey Advertiser · 30 Oct, 12:32
• Former RAF test pilot who helped clear Chinook pilots dies aged 86Former RAF test pilot Robert Burke, who helped clear Chinook crash pilots Richard Cook and Jonathan Tapper, dies aged 86 on October 26.Basingstoke Gazette · 30 Oct, 12:27

In this story: Robert Burke · Richard Cook · Jonathan Tapper · RAF · Ministry of Defence · Mull of Kintyre

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log