PPRuNe Forums - F15 Court Martial (Merged thread)

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Quote:

RAF AIR CONTROLLER CLEARED OVER PILOTS’ DEATHS
PA News
An RAF air traffic controller was cleared today of the deaths of two US fighter pilots whose planes crashed into a mountain during a snowstorm.
The jury of six senior RAF officers took just over six-and-a-half hours to acquit Flight Lieutenant Malcolm Williams.
Williams, 47, of RAF Leuchars, Fife, was also found not guilty of an alternative charge of professional negligence at a court martial in Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute.
mfl Flt Lt Williams’s wife Sue and sister Barbara breathed a sigh of relief and buried their heads in their hands when the verdict was delivered.
The case against him lasted 22 days and was the longest and most expensive in RAF history.
Flt Lt Williams is believed to have been the first UK military controller in living memory to be court-martialled in connection with a fatal air crash.
He was charged with causing the deaths of Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Hyvonen, 40, and Captain Kirk Jones, 27.
It was alleged Williams told the Americans to fly below 6,500ft when they requested the “minimum vectoring altitude” – a US term unfamiliar to the RAF at the time.
The two pilots died when their F15s crashed into Ben Macdui in the Cairngorms on March 26 2001.
Williams had denied the charge.
The US pilots were on a low-flying exercise from RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk when they disappeared.
Mountain rescue teams battled through white-out conditions to find the wreckage near the summit of the Highland mountain, the second highest in the UK.
The bodies of Lt Col Hyvonen and Capt Jones were recovered within days.
The hearing had heard how Flt Lt Williams returned to work on the day of the crash after two weeks of compassionate leave following the death of his father.
mfl

It's not that I'm a doctor or anything but...

...I've booked Spot a liver transplant at Ninewells on Monday and for every Monday in March. Great news, a hat trick as well!

Magnificant news, congratulations. Justice seen to be done even if it shouldn't have got that far in the first place.

Off to the bar to have a celebratory pint on your behalf Spot and Sue. Enjoy the moment.

RubiC Cube

Spot,

Congratulations on the outcome of a situation that should have never happened. I have been watching everyday and my thoughts have been with you.

I wish you all the best in the future

Regards

CB

Congratulations Spot & Sue!!!

It's good to see that justice does prevail... (Even if 2 years late!)

Great to hear the fantastic news at last.

Here's to many happy hangovers during the coming weeks :rolleyes:

All the best to the future... whatever it may bring.

Jason (JP), Karen & kids.

:D :D :D :D

Fantastic news. I wish I could find some words that come close to describing how good that news is - but hey, I guess you worked that out for yourselves!

I hope that the RAF will now do the decent thing and make sure you are properly looked after Spot - after the way they've treated you. However, on previous form, I'd watch out for a posting to Baghdad!

Truly delighted

Stu Bingham

WUNDERBAR! or something!!!:D

Spot, Sue and Family

Just heard the news and read the postings above .... absolutely b****y wonderful!!!!

I look forward to hearing how the RAF will recompense you for the damage it has wrought - I doubt that whatever it, or anyone else for that matter, can do can ever right this tremendous wrong.

Today is the first day of the rest of your life - go for it!!

All the very best of wishes for the future.

ND

Spot and Sue,

We're so happy for you..........................I can't think of anything else to say at the moment. Have and great night, week, month etc. Oh yeah, and ring the bell.

BAGGY and She

HURRAH FOR SPOT!

Bloody fantastic news! Congratulations to all of you.

:D

Spot found NOT GUILTY on all charges !!!!

Justice has prevailed and this record breaking CM is now over. Before going on to the press releases made separately by Spot , Sue, and the Guild of Air Traffic Controllers, I would like to express some very big ‘thanks’, on behalf of the support group, to the major players in Spot’s defence.

Firstly, our sincere gratitude to Mike Jones QC. We christened him the ‘The Master’ and I don’t think you will ever find a better man to represent a defence case over an aviation issue. Both he and Alasdair Gillies (the lawyer assisting Mike in court) had obviously carried out a huge amount of research prior to the case. They worked magnificently as a team. To watch Mike Jones QC in action was both a joy and a privilege, no wonder this man holds silk in both England and Scotland. To have flown Phantoms in a previous life was obviously an advantage, that aside, he totally outgunned and outwitted the prosecution. His cross-examination technique was something to behold and the atmosphere in the courtroom when he had the stand was electric. Mike Jones QC , we salute you, our ‘learned friend’ !

Secondly, our thanks to Craig Penrice (Test pilot). Craig was the first expert witness for the defence. Craig had delved very deeply into the whole accident and it was he who drew the previously ignored eyewitness reports together. In my view, it was his combined evidence that was pivotal in the prosecution having to change their theory of events in mid CM.

Thirdly, our thanks to Wing Commander Chris Foster (ATC), the second expert witness for the Defence. He answered the crucial questions that were the legal tests of negligence. The Prosecution vilified him for supposedly giving ‘partisan’ evidence on behalf of the defence. This was absolute rubbish! If he could be accused of being ‘partisan’ then it was only in defence of RAF air traffic control as a whole. This man stuck his neck on the block for Spot and the whole of RAF Air Traffic Control. He gave his honest opinion that was in accord with that of every coalface controller that I know. RAF ATCOs have a senior officer of whom they should be very proud.

Lastly, we must thank The Guild of Air Traffic Controllers whose financial support made this defence possible. The Guild has continued to offer the very best of moral support and has pledged to investigate how this case ever got to become a CM. Our particular thanks to Richard Dawson (Guild President) who has taken a very personal interest in this CM.

I know that everyone will want the answer to this question.........The JA has recommended that 'all reasonable' costs should be met by the Crown. He reminded us that the costs incurred in the use of a QC should fall under this heading. This was agreed by the Crown Prosecutor.

Dick Doleman

(Over 50,000 visits to our forums on Pprune – awesome stuff ! “Have a good day sir !” )

Press release from Spot……………….

A Court Martial has cleared RAF air traffic controller Flight Lieutenant Malcolm (Spot) Williams of causing the deaths of two United States Air Force pilots whose F15 jets crashed into Ben Macdui during a snowstorm in March 2001.

The Court Martial was held at Helensburgh and lasted for 21 days, the longest Court Martial in history. Following the verdict today , Flight Lieutenant Williams said “My sympathy and thoughts go to the families of the two pilots who lost their lives in this tragic accident; their loss will be inconsolable”.

I am very happy and relieved by today’s verdict. The last two years have been extremely stressful for my family and me and we are now looking forward to returning to some sense of normality.

I am most grateful to my outstanding defence team who represented me throughout this rigorously thorough Court Martial. Through them I was able to answer all the allegations in public, ensuring that the cause of the accident was fully investigated and my innocence established.

I am pleased to emerge from this stressful experience completely exonerated and wish to thank my defence team and hundreds of supporters from all over the world. In particular I would like to express my thanks to my wife, friends and family’.

Spot Williams.

Press release from Sue ……….

“ There are no winners in this Court Martial – two fine fighter pilots have lost their lives and our prayers continue to be extended to their wives and families. Furthermore, my husband and family have suffered extreme anxiety from a range of serious allegations over two years. Thirdly, the good name of the RAF has been tarnished.

We are exceptionally grateful to and humbled by the huge band of supporters - family, friends, colleagues in the RAF and from The High School of Dundee, the defence team, military and civil controllers and pilots from all over the world who have helped us through some very trying times. This massive support system has aided Spot to maintain strength and dignity throughout this ordeal.

I now look forward to participating in the Inquiry demanded by GATCO. This will be the most appropriate forum for me to discuss my thoughts about recent events.

Many people have battled for 23 months to clear Spot’s name. Whilst it has been rather like David fighting Goliath, we always knew that right was on our side and we are very relieved that the long struggle is finally over.”

Sue Williams

Press release from GATCO……

THE GUILD OF AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL OFFICERS

PRESS RELEASE

RESPONSE TO COURT MARTIAL VERDICT

Flight Lieutenant Malcolm ‘Spot’ Williams

The Guild of Air Traffic Control Officers is pleased to have supported Flight Lieutenant Williams throughout his ordeal and delighted that his Court Martial has now ended with him being acquitted of all charges.

He leaves this Court with his professionalism, conduct and character unblemished.

This brings to a close an unnecessary period of stress and trauma for himself, his family and the relatives of the pilots who lost their lives.

The evidence presented during the last four weeks has highlighted a need to revisit the Royal Air Force / United States Air Force arrangements to ensure that adequate safeguards and common procedures are in place for the conduct of low flying training and airspace management in United Kingdom airspace.

The Guild of Air Traffic Control Officers will continue to work with all air traffic service providers, civil and military, to achieve the highest levels of safety.

Finally, the Guild is seriously concerned that evidence available to the Court Martial appears to have been either ignored, or not accurately displayed, when presented by the Prosecution.

The Guild calls for an inquiry to determine whether this was accidental or deliberate.

This statement is issued on behalf of the President and Executive Board The Guild of Air Traffic Control Officers

For Further Comment / Information contact The President, GATCO

Richard Dawson

Tel /Fax 01628 672232
Mobile 07974 311293

:) :O :D :p

Bloody good news!

Well done to everyone involved, and many thanks for the frequent updates.

Very best wishes to Spot and Sue. . . . enjoy!

-----------------------
vintage ATCO
www.stevelevien.com

Justice

My most sincere congratulations to spot and sue

At the start of the thread i was convinced that the RAF would have their way and just push it through but after reading the updates everyday i became even more convinced that spot would win the case.

Well done to everyone and i hope that this can be put behind them and a normal life can be led

A lowly young FISO

Good news Spot and Sue. Well done the defence team. Well done the Doleman/Tasker team. A special thought for the pilots' families.
p.s. Just called work at 1315 hrs to let them know....they knew already, seems the rolling info' calls are working very well!!

WELL DONE SPOT & TEAM

Well done Spot,
What a fantastic result !!! Well done to Sue and your family for their courage, to DD, RRut, BY and all the the support team for their strength, and to the brilliant legal team for their skill.
Your supporters over here in Brussels are delighted and hugely happy at this wonderful result…and ashamed that you, and the families of the pilots, were put through this.
Have a great PU.
Tom

Congratulations Spot and Team- the only proper outcome.
Cheers http://www.venicebeach.com/mboard/smilies/beer.gif

Dear Spot and Sue,

I am absolutely delighted to hear the result; HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS!!! I would love to come and celebrate just let me know where and when. Golf, beer and laughing again.....remember!!

Yrs aye

Tim

Yet another message of

Spot and Sue

It is difficult to add anything to the words already adding by the minute from around the world. However, just wanted to offer my own congratulations and best wishes to you both. Fantastic news!!!!

Fantastic! Spot completely exhonerated on all charges, but let's not forget the team who helped him through such a protracted and miserable period. First of all Sue. Those of you who know her will have seen what a determined lady she is. It must have been extremely difficult to say the least to keep the family going and Spot focussed, but she did it - for two years! LUV 'n Kisses Sue.

Then there are two guys who, together, set things in motion to get the right assistance and ensure that the saga was publicised from the beginning. To Dick Doleman and Micky Drip may I say on behalf of ATCOs who know you, and those who don't, that this has been a magnificent achievement for you both. Without you Spot would have been left hanging - he and the profession owe you a very great debt for setting things up.

Then there is "the Defence" in its entirety, GATCO, and all the well-wishers who gave their unqualified support through these pages - truly a team effort by any stretch of the imagination.

However, we must never forget the families of the two pilots as this "result" will never return them to their rightful place.

Finally, what happens next? It is to be hoped that the MoD, and the RAF in particular, learn lessons. Let's hope so.