tuc:
But, given the evidence also shows they were advised of the impact and ploughed on, those errors swiftly became an act gross negligence and failure of Duty of Care. In my opinion.
and, for what little it be worth tuc, my opinion as well. That is why a re-opened investigation into this accident is so important. Nothing that has happened in the intervening 16 years could prevent the appalling situation that you describe repeating over and over.
This forum has threads dedicated to military airworthiness related accidents, including this one, that account for the deaths of 62 people. It is possible that the total figure is many times greater because all military air accidents have one thing in common, they are investigated by the very operator that suffered the accident. They are also regulated by its immediate parent, the MOD. For both reasons such investigations are compromised from the very beginning. Mr H-C's MAA has done nothing to ameliorate that compromise.
That is why the "airworthiness argument" is so vital, Walter. As tuc says, it may or may not have been a cause of this accident, only a proper Air Accident Investigation can determine that, but it will be the cause of many more avoidable accidents and needless deaths unless and until it is addressed. This is a site for Professional Pilots, amongst others. Such considerations as these should be at the very forefront of our thoughts. Now is the time to hear them!