'High-G' turn caused trainee pilot's neck injury

Dec 13 2006 Liverpool Daily Post

A TRAINEE fighter pilot's debilitating neck condition was caused by a "high-G" manoeuvre during a training flight, a top medical expert told London's High Court yesterday.

Lieutenant Paul Hanks, of Shotwick Park, Saughall, Chester, claims the injury, which he suffered in August 2000, wrecked his hopes of becoming a Royal Navy "Top Gun".

Mr Hanks, who had dreamed of flying Sea Harrier jets but who now works as a property developer, is now suing the Ministry of Defence for £1.7m compensation in a hearing scheduled to last all week.

The MoD was found 85% responsible for Mr Hanks' injuries at an earlier court hearing, but is still hotly disputing the amount of Mr Hanks' payout. It is insisting that Mr Hanks' symptoms cannot be blamed on the high-speed manoeuvre.

In the first hearing, a judge found that Mr Hanks' instructor - Flight Lieutenant Derek Sington - had taken over control of the Hawk jet shortly before pulling a "high-G turn". It was ruled he had done so without warning his student during a training flight near Worcester. Michael O'Driscoll told the court: "High-G affects nearly everybody who enters into it.

"I would have to draw the conclusion as a medical expert that high-G has caused Mr Hanks' changes."

The hearing continues.