Ejection seat firm in court over Red Arrows pilot death
- Published
An ejection seat firm has appeared in court for an alleged breach of health and safety law over the death of a Red Arrows pilot in 2011.
Flt Lt Sean Cunningham, 35, was injured after being ejected from a Hawk T1 jet while on the ground at RAF Scampton.
The parachute on the ejector seat did not deploy and the South African-born airman died in hospital on 8 November.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) brought the prosecution against Martin-Baker Aircraft Ltd.
The experienced pilot and Iraq war veteran died after his ejector seat initiated during pre-flight checks at the Lincolnshire airbase, the HSE said.
Martin-Baker, of Lower Road, Higher Denham, near Uxbridge, appeared at Lincoln Magistrates' Court earlier.
No plea was entered during the 10 minute hearing.
Representing the company, Mr Christopher Morrison, said because of the seriousness of the case they fully expected it to be referred to crown court.
Members of Mr Cunningham's family were also in court to hear the proceedings.
The case was transferred to Lincoln Crown Court. A trial date has been set for 17 February.
The alleged breach is Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, which states: "It shall be the duty of every employer to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in his employment who may be affected thereby are not thereby exposed to risks to their health or safety."