David Hill, a former Ministry of Defence aeronautical engineer who led the campaign for justice over the 1994 Chinook helicopter disaster, has died aged 69 after a two-month battle with cancer. He passed away in a palliative care unit in Bristol on January 12.
Mr Hill, from Bristol, was a technical adviser to the Chinook Justice Campaign group and wrote three books examining the crash on the Mull of Kintyre. For over 30 years, he collated and analysed official papers and technical evidence, which he argued showed the Chinook Mark 2 helicopter was not airworthy and should never have been in the air. His work helped clear the two pilots, Flight Lieutenants Rick Cook and Jonathan Tapper, who had been posthumously blamed for the crash, of responsibility in 2011.
Campaigners have called for Mr Hill to be awarded a posthumous OBE and for a public inquiry to be established. Susan Phoenix, who campaigned with him for 30 years, said: '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 that has been clouded by lies, secrecy and a distinct lack of candour.'
Niven Phoenix, whose father Ian was killed in the crash, said: 'David’s contribution cannot be overstated. He understood the Chinook Mark 2 systems in forensic detail and was meticulous in analysing evidence that others either overlooked or chose not to interrogate. He is a massive loss to the campaign.'
Chris Cook, brother of pilot Rick Cook, added: 'For our family, David’s work was absolutely fundamental. His determination helped restore Rick and Jon’s professional reputation and gave our family something we had been denied for far too long: truth, dignity and peace.'
