Man died after seat ‘detached’

A CIVILIAN navigator died after his seat “detached” from an RAF Tornado as it flew upside down during a test flight, an inquest has heard.

Mike Harland, 44, who worked for BAE Systems, died after taking off from RAF Marham near King’s Lynn, Norfolk, in November 2007.

The inquest yesterday in Norwich heard that he suffered multiple injuries – his body was found in a field near South Creake.

Coroner Jacqueline Lake said the pilot was carrying out an “inverted turn” when Harland’s seat “detached from the aircraft and fell to the ground”.

She said Harland’s parachute was “disabled”.

Jurors were told no-one had been prosecuted as a result of the accident.