This isn’t an easy one, but if even half the statements here, and on other threads, are remotely true, it certainly looks like the MoD have difficult questions to answer.
I believe in TD’s right to search for the truth. He is using a forum where he is probably entitled to believe he can expect support, given he gets little or none from MoD. I also believe the MoD actually rely on bereaved families wanting to forget and move on.
As such, letting this go would be playing into the MoD’s hands. I am no expert, and do not wish to pre-judge the BOI or coroner, but on the face of it this accident was avoidable. It does not seem to have been an unavoidable accident in the sense a bird strike would be. We should avoid the personal conflicts we see here, but the basic issues should be of concern to everyone. I applaud the “can do” attitude of those who fly. I accept the honesty of those who admit they “can’t do”. But I abhor those who can and should, but don’t.
Instead of studying this in isolation, perhaps we should take a wider look, and assess whether other accidents were avoidable, and if there were common factors. Not detailed technical issues like fuel leaks, but whether or not people in authority were forewarned, or shortcuts were taken to save pennies, or funding withheld. The stovepiping we hear of in the MoD has the effect of reducing the number of people who see the big picture on, for example, aircraft safety. It makes it easier to ignore this bigger picture, allowing the MoD to look plausible when they claim any given accident was “isolated”.
Stick with it TD.