What the AAIB Report Actually Said
I am sorry to repeat a previous post but it seems that some contributors still do not understand or wish to misquote the AAIB Report - this is what its conclusions actually said:
43. Almost all parts of the flight control mechanical systems were identified, with no evidence of pre-impact failure or malfunction, although the possibility of control system jam could not be positively dismissed.
44. Most attachment inserts on both flight control system pallets had detached, including the collective balance spring bracket that had previously detached from ZD576’s thrust/yaw pallet, with little evidence available to eliminate the possibility of pre-impact detachment.
45. The method of attaching components to the pallets appeared less positive and less verifiable than would normally be expected for a flight control system application.
Like everyone else the AAIB did not know - but their comments are part of the vast jigsaw of "doubts", and we are only trying to prove the injustice of the verdict and not determine the cause of the accident! However, as has been announced this week MOD's own actions have caused the lid of Pandora's box to be well and truly opened - no it will not tell us the cause of the accident, but in my view assuming the Minister's upcoming review is both thorough and unbiased it may well suggest where any findings of Gross Negligence relating to this accident really belong - thoughts of similarities with Nimrod XV 230 on the breakdown of the airworthiness chain might be excusable.
JB