A High Court judge has dismissed a legal challenge brought by families of the victims of the 1994 RAF Chinook helicopter crash.
The case was filed by the Chinook Justice Campaign (CJC), a group representing more than 55 relatives of 25 people who died in the disaster.
However, Mr Justice Christopher Butcher ruled that the claim was submitted too late and could not continue.
1994 RAF Chinook Crash Killed 29 People
The RAF Chinook helicopter crashed on 2 June 1994 at the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland.
The aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and four crew members when it went down, killing everyone on board.
The victims included military personnel and civilian passengers. Their families have spent years seeking further answers about the cause of the crash.
The first investigation took place in 1995 through an internal Board of Inquiry. It concluded that pilots Flight Lieutenant Rick Cook and Flight Lieutenant Jonathan Tapper were responsible due to an alleged error.
Families Continued Fight for Answers
The Mull of Kintyre Review was published in 2011 and cleared the pilots of blame. However, the review did not confirm the exact cause of the crash.
The judge said there were possible grounds to challenge the MoD’s investigation process from 2011, when the review was released.
However, he explained that the families needed strong reasons to bring the case more than 14 years after the review. He said the required grounds were not provided.
Judge Recognises Families’ Long-Term Pain
Mr Justice Butcher described the crash as a devastating tragedy that caused lasting suffering for the families and friends of those who died.
The judge agreed with the MoD’s argument that the claim had been made outside the allowed time limit.
Campaign Group May Take Case Further
The group also called for intervention from Andy Burnham, who is expected to become prime minister soon.
