A former flying instructor who once trained Prince William has passed away after a long battle with cancer, which he and many others believe was caused by prolonged exposure to toxic exhaust fumes from military helicopters.
Zach Stubbings was diagnosed with multiple myeloma—a type of blood and bone marrow cancer—in 2013, thirteen years after joining the RAF Search and Rescue at just 21 years old.
The former flight sergeant and helicopter winchman tragically lost his fight last month at the age of 47, spending his final days in a hospice.
He leaves behind his wife, Anna-Louise, who has already endured heartbreaking loss—her first husband and seven-year-old son were killed by a reckless driver in 2015.
Former RAF and Navy pilots have accused the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of failing to protect aircrew from harmful emissions linked to military helicopters. Many have since been diagnosed with cancers, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, lung cancer, and multiple myeloma, after flying in Sea King, Wessex, Puma, and Chinook helicopters.
Legal battles have revealed that the MoD may have known about these risks for over a decade but failed to act. Documents suggest awareness of the Sea King’s exhaust dangers as early as 1999.
One pilot, Zach, shared his experience: “The exhaust comes right through the cargo door. If you’re working on the winch, you’re putting your head right into it.”
Nearly 40 personnel are suing the MoD, with more expected to come forward in the coming weeks.
Richard’s fight with epithelioid fibrosarcoma began 12 years ago—a rare and aggressive cancer that started in his neck and spread throughout his body. Tumors stretched from his jaw to his heart, making treatment incredibly difficult.
Despite undergoing eight surgeries over a decade, the cancer kept returning. One tumor grew so large that it crushed his windpipe, leaving him struggling to breathe.
Doctors at three hospitals deemed the tumor inoperable due to its location near a major blood vessel. Given less than a year to live, Richard prepared to say goodbye to his children, Tom and Emma.
In 2023, after a marathon surgery, Richard finally had his tumor removed, allowing him to breathe normally again.
Reflecting on his career as a Sea King helicopter pilot, Richard believes prolonged exposure to aviation fuel fumes may have caused his cancer. “The irony of living my dream is that it may have led to this,” he said.
In 2013, Richard and fellow pilot Zach created a WhatsApp group, Fly Hard, Fight Hard, to raise awareness. Other non-smoking colleagues also developed throat and lung cancers. Tragically, six of the original eight members have since passed away.