'Language problems' with US aircrews

Wreckage was found near the summit of Ben Macdui

Getting information from US military aircrews can be "like pulling teeth", a court martial has heard.

RAF air traffic control expert Flight Lieutenant Jaquiline Trangmar told the hearing communication between controllers and pilots could be "separated by a common language".

She was giving evidence on the third day of a hearing, in Helensburgh, involving another RAF air traffic controller.

Flight Lieutenant Malcolm Williams has been charged with causing the deaths of two pilots in a double jet crash nearly two years ago.

Captain Kirk Jones died in the accident

The US pilots died when their F15C jets crashed into Ben Macdui, in the Cairngorms, during in March 2001.

Flt Lt Trangmar, of RAF Leuchars, Fife, said one of the ways of getting information from aircraft was by radio.

She said: "We try to understand them in the first attempt but sometimes it's very difficult.

"You could be separated by a common language."

RAF Group Captain Alastair McGrigor, prosecuting, asked what she would do if she did not understand something said by a pilot.

She replied: "Try to clarify it. I say the word try because at times it's like pulling teeth. You may not get the reply you are expecting or want and depending on how busy you are, it can be very difficult."

Flt Lt Trangmar agreed she meant US aircraft when she referred to the divide in common language.

Flt Lt Williams, also of RAF Leuchars, is alleged to have told the two US fighter pilots to descend to 4,000ft when the minimum safety altitude had been 6,500ft.

He faces an alternative charge of negligently performing his duties as an air traffic controller.

Lt Col Hyvonen was the lead pilot

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The hearing was also told Flt Lt Williams may have felt under pressure to return to work after two weeks' compassionate leave following the death of his father.

The air traffic controller had returned to his duties at lunchtime on the day of the crash involving the two pilots.

Flt Lt Trangmar said the accused's brother and father had been seriously ill at the same time.

"He had a very, very close relationship with his father," she said.

"He was understandably very upset."

Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Hyvonen, 40, and Captain Kirk Jones, 27, had been based at RAF Lakenheath, in Suffolk, when their jets crashed in the Scottish Highlands.