On June 2, 1994, a tragic crash of RAF Chinook ZD576 on the Mull of Kintyre resulted in the deaths of all 29 people on board, including 25 British intelligence personnel and four crew members.

Initially, the helicopter's pilots were accused of gross negligence, but this ruling was overturned by the UK Government 17 years later after a sustained campaign by the victims' families.

Now, the families of the victims, organized as the Chinook Justice Campaign, are taking legal action against the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for failing to order a public inquiry into the crash.

Family members, including Esme Sparks and Andy Tobias, have expressed their frustration over the lack of transparency and accountability from the MoD regarding the circumstances that allowed the helicopter to take off.

Solicitor Mark Stephens, representing the families, argues that the MoD failed to ensure the safety of the aircraft, which was known to be dangerous at the time of the flight.

A review by Lord Philip highlighted significant safety concerns regarding the Chinook Mk2 helicopters, which had been declared 'unairworthy' by the MoD's testing center prior to the crash.

The families are demanding the release of documents sealed for 100 years, believing these may contain crucial information about the crash that previous investigations overlooked.

In response, the MoD has expressed condolences for the victims but stated that releasing certain sealed documents could breach data protection rights.

In a recent letter to the government, the families emphasized that past investigations have not adequately fulfilled the necessary investigative duty required for such a tragedy.

The letter also cites Article 2 of the Human Rights Act, urging Defence Secretary John Healey to initiate an inquiry within 14 days.

The families are requesting a High Court judge to review undisclosed information regarding the helicopter's airworthiness, which they believe could provide new insights into the crash.

On June 1, 2025, families held a private commemoration at the National Memorial Arboretum, while the MoD continues to describe the incident as a tragic accident.