Martin-Baker Criticized By Red Arrows Accident Inquest
The Royal Air Force's Red Arrows perform at Farnborough. (Photo: David McIntosh)
The Royal Air Force's Red Arrows perform at Farnborough. (Photo: David McIntosh)

The stellar reputation of Martin-Baker (M-B) for saving lives has been tarnished by the inquest into the death of a UK Royal Air Force Red Arrows pilot. Flt. Lt. Sean Cunningham was killed on Nov. 8, 2011 when the M-B Mk 10B ejection seat in his BAe Hawk T.1 jet trainer accidentally fired on the ground, and his parachute failed to open. The coroner who officiated at the three-week inquest returned a "narrative" verdict that cleared the pilot of blame but was critical of M-B and the RAF.