Nimrod Information
In recent weeks there has been much talk (even in the Commons) of the number of serious Nimrod bomb bay fuel leaks that have occurred since the XV230 incident, many after AAR. But it is obvious to everyone that bomb bay fuel leaks did not start on 2nd Sept 2006, the accident simply brought an ongoing issue to a head.
I understand the XV230 had fuel leak problems before the accident, but the cause and rectification had become routine within the fleet. The only reason why flying could continue in the Gulf on 3rd Sept (next day), was because the likely cause was known and checks revealed that the a/c required to fly was considered low risk.
It's a case of operations before safety.
DV