Former RAF pilot who cleared Chinook crash pilots dies

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 14:40 · Archive

Robert Burke, former RAF chief test pilot who campaigned to clear the two pilots blamed for the 1994 Chinook crash, has died aged 86.

Former RAF chief test pilot Robert Burke, who played a crucial role in clearing the names of two pilots blamed for the 1994 RAF Chinook helicopter crash, has died aged 86 after a short illness.

The helicopter crashed on the Mull of Kintyre on 2 June 1994 whilst travelling from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland to Fort George near Inverness. All 29 people on board were killed, including 25 intelligence experts and four special forces crew members.

Flight Lieutenants Richard Cook and Jonathan Tapper were initially accused of gross negligence. However, the Government overturned that verdict in 2011 following a determined campaign by their families and supporters. Burke became a crucial figure in this long-running effort to clear the pilots' names and uncover the truth about what happened.

Nicola Rawcliffe, a Norfolk campaigner whose brother Chris Dockerty was among those killed, paid tribute to Burke following his death. She said: 'Robert has been a lynchpin of our campaign over three decades. We cannot pay tribute to him highly enough and we cannot believe another campaigner and source of truth has died this year.'

How it is being reported

• Sister of Chinook crash victim pays tribute to key campaigner for justiceFormer RAF chief test pilot Robert Burke died on Monday, October 26, aged 86, after a short illness, according to the Chinook Justice Campaign.Norwich Evening News · 30 Oct, 14:14
• Sister of Chinook crash victim pays tribute to key campaigner for justiceFormer RAF chief test pilot Robert Burke died on Monday, October 26, aged 86, after a short illness, according to the Chinook Justice Campaign.Eastern Daily Press · 30 Oct, 14:14

In this story: Robert Burke · Richard Cook · Jonathan Tapper · Nicola Rawcliffe · Chris Dockerty · RAF Chinook Justice Campaign · Mull of Kintyre

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