Inquest hears last message from downed plane

THE last desperate radio message from an RAF Hercules shot down in Iraq was heard at the inquest into the deaths of the 10 servicemen on board yesterday.

Lance Corporal Steven Jones, a passenger on the plane, radioed in “no duff no duff, we are on fire, we are on fire,” before all communication was lost, the inquest was told.

Wiltshire Coroner David Masters, giving his opening address at Trowbridge Town Hall, said: “This was the largest loss of life to hostile action in a single incident sustained by the RAF since the Second World War.”

The C-130K transporter aircraft was shot down between Baghdad and nearby Balad air base at 1.30pm on January 30, 2005.

Enemy fire pierced a fuel tank causing it to explode and blow off a wing. Nine RAF servicemen and one soldier died.

ESF (explosive-suppressant foam), which prevents fuel tanks exploding if they are hit, was not fitted to the plane.

The coroner pledged to examine why a report by US helicopter crews of a small arms fire ambush in the same area, which took place at 10.15 that day was not mentioned to the Hercules crew.

In the light of a High Court challenge launched last month by the Ministry of Defence aimed at limiting coroners’ freedom to make comments in respect of MoD conduct which could be seen to be apportioning civil liability, Mr Masters promised families of the 10 victims that he would not be deflected from carrying out a “full, and fearless inquiry”.

The inquest was adjourned until today.