B15, in absence of TD maybe I can help. XV230 and the chaperone Harrier were sighted by Kandahar Twr before the explosion. Eye witnesses reported the wing exploding first. Furthermore, my own contacts have confirmed to me that the aircraft suffered a fuel tank explosion.
(Earlier this year) The fleet has only been properly grounded once, last week, the others have only restricted what we can do ie. AAR and even then op cmdrs have been able to waive that. There was a fire onboard and a subsequent explosion but the ignition source is unknown. It is supposition that a fuel pipe/vent system leak was ignited by hot air/spar. I don't think we will ever establish the cause of the fire however the explosion has to have been a fuel tank......
Last edited by nigegilb; 8th Jun 2007 at 18:23.