Service Inquiry published on death in air accident near RAF Coningsby, 25 May 2024

# What happened

Defence (MOD) has published the final Service Inquiry report into the death of a service person involved in an air accident near RAF Coningsby on 25 May 2024. The report was released on 1 October 2026 and is intended to present the inquiry's findings and recommendations to the military Chain of Command and to the public.

# What the report contains

The publicly available package includes a PDF of the full inquiry report. The published file is 35.9 MB and runs to 158 pages. The inquiry report sets out the investigation's conclusions and the recommendations designed to reduce risk and improve safety in future Defence aviation operations.

# How the MOD frames the publication

The MOD has positioned the report as both an accountability measure and a practical resource for the Chain of Command. The publication aims to inform decision-makers about causal factors identified by the inquiry and to provide a basis for implementing safety improvements across relevant parts of Defence.

# Access and accessibility

The PDF is hosted on the GOV.UK site. The page notes that the file "may not be suitable for users of assistive technology" and provides a clear contact route for accessible formats. Readers who need a different format are directed to email ddc-modinternet@mod.gov.uk, specifying the required format and the assistive technology they use.

# Practical implications

The release makes the inquiry's formal findings and recommendations available to those responsible for operational and organisational safety in Defence. It also creates a public record of the MOD's formal response to a service death in an aviation incident.

# Related publications and context

The GOV.UK page lists related Service Inquiry reports and other Defence corporate reports. This indicates the MOD's practice of publishing formal inquiry outcomes for separate serious incidents so that lessons can be applied across the service.

# How to read the report quickly

# Next steps for readers

• If you are a policymaker or defence manager: review the recommendations and compare them with current procedures and oversight mechanisms.

• If you are a member of the public or a family affected by the incident: use the contact details on the GOV.UK page to request accessible versions or further clarification.

# Bottom line

Coningsby. The report is intended to inform military leadership and the public, and it includes recommendations aimed at improving Defence aviation safety.