l b:
... it all comes down to nobody knows.
I know what you mean lb, and point taken, but it rather depends on what "it" is and thus what it is that nobody knows. In the absence of a proper Air Accident Investigation, and Lord knows this accident has been shown to be woefully bereft of that, avoidable accidents happen that should have been avoided.
This accident is a classic in that regard, for whatever the reasons that it happened (and you are quite right, we don't know them and probably never will), a proper Air Accident Investigation would have exposed what we now know, the parlous state of airworthiness not only pertaining to this aircraft, not merely to the fleet to which it belonged, but throughout the entire UK Military Airfleet. Corrective action could have been taken then, some 15 years ago, which might, indeed should, have prevented subsequent UK Military Airworthiness related fatal accidents. Perhaps some 30 needless deaths could thus have been avoided. Perhaps not, again we don't know. The difference is that at least we would have tried. Those who subverted the process have that to answer for.
The shameful slur on the reputations of two deceased Junior Officers is a scandal that will cling to the Royal Air Force long after amends are made. The further needless deaths are many times more grave a matter for that is the real cost of riding roughshod over procedures and Regulations designed in the final instance to avoid such needless deaths, as is also the purpose of proper Air Accident Investigations. The Royal Air Force has shown itself not to be trusted with either, which must be removed out of its hands and that of its accomplice in this affair, the MOD. The MAA must be made independent and separate of both, as a matter of urgency.
Self Regulation never works and in Aviation it Kills!