British spy plane blew up after fuel leak

Fourteen people died when the Nimrod reconnaissance plane exploded, in the biggest loss of life among British forces in a single incident since the Falklands War in 1982.

The inquiry found maintenance and safety regimens for the planes could have been contributing factors.

Britain's Defence Secretary Des Browne has apologised again to relatives of those who died in the crash.

"It's clear to me that some of the findings of the Board of Inquiry identify failings for which the Ministry of Defence (MOD) must take responsibility," he said.

"On behalf of the MOD and the Royal Air Force I would like to say sorry for these failings to this House, but most of all to the families of those who lost their lives."

But relatives of the British servicemen killed in the crash have condemned the MOD over its handling of the ageing Nimrod fleet.

Claire Mitchelmore is a relative of one of the men killed and says neither the investigation nor the promise of a wider review dims the sense of loss and anger.

"A catalogue of errors and ageing aircraft did not enable them to do their job as safely as possible. It is inexcusable that nearly all military aircraft are ageing," she said.

"I consider this totally inhumane as to how a Government and the MOD can function with this on their conscience." - ABC Australia Copyright