Hi Cazatou,
There was no operational reason for the aircraft to have been flown on that route. The decision to use that route, as well as the planning to ensure the safety of the aircraft, rested solely with the two pilots who flew the task.
Rather than the above, I would ask the following questions:
1. Who tasked the flight?
2. Who decided that the flight should be undertaken using ZD576 - a Chinook with a known history of problems?
3. What was the operational necessity for the Chinook HC2 to be used?
I thought that the route, and planning of the sortie by the crew had been deemed wholly appropriate and acceptable by
all who have reviewed this tragedy.
Kind regards,
Brian
"Justice has no expiry date" - John Cook