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Lawsuit Filed In Red Arrows Ejector Seat Accident

Pilot Fatally Injured When Seat Activated On The Ground

A lawsuit has been filed against the manufacturer of an ejector seat aboard a Red Arrows Hawk T1 aircraft that inadvertently activated while the plane was on the ground. The pilot, Flt Lt Sean Cummings, was fatally injured when the parachute on the seat failed to deploy.

The U.K. newspaper The Mirror reports that the suit has been filed by the U.K. Health and Safety Executive against Martin Baker Aircraft Ltd, alleging violations of health and safety laws.

The accident occurred in November 2011. The official investigation found that there was a problem with the ejection seat firing handle, which was left in an "unsafe position." It is thought that handle was snagged by a strap and pulled into that unsafe position four days previous to the accident. Both the seat manufacturer and the RAF were found to have some responsibility for the accident.

The official inquest determined that the accident, and Flt Lt Cunningham's death, were "preventable."

A court date has not been set.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence

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