Coroner brands RAF squadron a 'sloppy outfit'.

A CORONER branded an RAF squadron "a sloppy outfit" at the inquest of three men, including one from Teesside, who died in a helicopter crash.

Geoff Fell said there was no evidence of any documentation to show the crew of the doomed RAF Puma were "properly ratified" to fly the aircraft.

He made his comments on the second day of the inquest into the deaths of Flight Lieutenant David Sale, 28, from Norton, Sergeant Phillip Burfoot, 27, and 17-year-old Army recruit Private Sean Tait. Twelve military personnel were on board the helicopter which crashed while taking part in a training flight near Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire on August 8 2007.

Mr Fell was trying to establish if Flight Lieutenant Robert Hamilton, who was left paraplegic as a result of the injuries he suffered, and Flight Lieutenant Paul Carlon, who had taken part in earlier exercises, were deemed limited combat-ready and qualified to take part.

Mr Fell said: "There is no paperwork to suggest or indicate that Hamilton and Carlon were LCR (limited combat-ready). There is no document to show this crew were properly ratified. This is a sloppy outfit. I can't put it any other way.

"I'm not prepared to sit here and see these families denied the right to find out what has happened to their kids," he said.

Mr Fell made his comments during a discussion with Oliver Sanders, who is representing the Ministry of Defence (MoD) at the inquest. Mr Sanders interrupted the questioning of Wing Commander Jason Appleton, who was second in command at 33 Squadron, at RAF Benson, in Oxfordshire, where the Puma was based.

He objected to Mr Appleton being asked about a critical report about 33 Squadron which highlighted poor record-keeping and leadership.

Mr Sanders said the questioning went beyond the scope of the inquest and should not be allowed. The coroner disagreed and Mr Appleton was asked to comment on the report which said there had been a "loss of focus on routine administration".