A former Ministry of Defence aeronautical engineer, whose relentless three-decade investigation into the 1994 Chinook helicopter disaster transformed the campaign for justice, has died at the age of 69.
A Lifelong Crusade for Truth
David Hill passed away in a Bristol palliative care unit on 12 January 2026, following a two-month battle with cancer. The father-of-one was the technical adviser to the Chinook Justice Campaign and authored three pivotal books scrutinising the RAF Chinook ZD576 crash on the Mull of Kintyre in June 1994, which claimed 29 lives.
For over 30 years, Hill painstakingly collected, analysed, and published official documents and technical data. His forensic work formed the bedrock of the campaign's significant progress in the last six months. This culminated in the campaign's first meeting with government ministers in 31 years on 16 December 2025.
Hill's central conclusion was that the Chinook Mark 2 helicopter was not airworthy and should never have been airborne. His evidence was instrumental in officially clearing the two pilots, Flight Lieutenants Rick Cook and Jonathan Tapper, who were posthumously blamed for the crash. They were formally absolved of responsibility in 2011 due to his findings.
The Unwavering Voice for Families
Campaigners who worked alongside Hill have paid powerful tributes, with some calling for him to receive a posthumous honour and for a judge-led public inquiry to be established in his memory.
Susan Phoenix, a fellow campaigner for 30 years, stated: "David stood with the families from the very earliest days, when it was hardest to challenge the official story. He brought clarity, courage and extraordinary technical insight to a case clouded by lies and secrecy." She highlighted his recent work helping to compile 335 unanswered questions about the crash just two months before his death.
Niven Phoenix, whose father Ian died in the disaster, said: "David's contribution cannot be overstated. He understood the Chinook systems in forensic detail and was meticulous. He demonstrated that the aircraft's airworthiness and software integration raised serious, unresolved questions."
A Legacy of Justice and Peace
For the families of the wrongfully accused pilots, Hill's work was transformative. Chris Cook, brother of pilot Rick Cook, said: "For our family, David's work was absolutely fundamental. After years of pain and injustice, his determination helped restore Rick and Jon's professional reputation and gave us truth, dignity, and peace."
Andy Tobias, who lost his father John, asserted that without Hill's technical mastery, the campaign would not have secured the critical ministerial meeting. "The families owe David a massive debt of lifelong gratitude," he said, proposing that the case should become a test for a new Hillsborough Law, with all files released.
Hill's close friend of 40 years, retired RAF Squadron Leader Engineer Peter Skea, described his mission as "a crusade of truth." He added: "He was dogged in his determination to put the record straight and he abhorred technical incompetence. He has exposed the wrongs associated with the Chinook crash."
David Hill's passing comes as the campaign he dedicated his life to stands closer to justice than at any point since the tragedy, leaving a legacy of unwavering perseverance and technical rigour in the pursuit of truth.
