2015 Shoreham Airshow crash

Last updated

2015 Shoreham Airshow crash
Hawker Hunter T7 'WV372 - R' (G-BXFI) (12863569924).jpg
The aircraft involved in the accident, photographed in 2013
Accident
Date22 August 2015 (2015-08-22)
Summary Pilot error during aerobatic manoeuvre
Site A27 road, Shoreham Airport boundary, Lancing, West Sussex, UK
50°50′30″N0°17′43″W / 50.8417°N 0.2952°W / 50.8417; -0.2952
Total fatalities11
Total injuries16
Aircraft
Aircraft type Hawker Hunter T7
OperatorCanfield Hunter Limited
Registration G-BXFI
Flight origin North Weald Airfield, Essex, United Kingdom
DestinationNorth Weald Airfield
Occupants1
Crew1
Fatalities0
Injuries1
Ground casualties
Ground fatalities11
Ground injuries15

On 22 August 2015, a former military aircraft crashed onto a main road during an aerial display at the Shoreham Airshow at Shoreham Airport, England, killing 11 people and injuring 16 others. It was the deadliest air show accident in the United Kingdom since the 1952 Farnborough Airshow crash, which had killed 31 people. [1]

Contents

The aircraft, a Hawker Hunter T7, failed to complete a loop manoeuvre and crashed, hitting vehicles on the A27 road adjacent to the airport. The pilot, Andy Hill, was critically injured but survived. [2] [3] As a result of the accident, all civilian-registered Hawker Hunter aircraft in the United Kingdom were grounded, and restrictions were put in place on civilian vintage jet aircraft displays over land, limiting them to high-level flypasts and banning aerobatic manoeuvres.

The official investigation by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch concluded that the crash resulted from pilot error. In 2018, Hill was charged with eleven counts of manslaughter by gross negligence and one count of endangering an aircraft. He was found not guilty on all counts on 8 March 2019. The organisers of the Shoreham Airshow denied any responsibility for the crash. [4]

An inquest into the deaths of the victims was scheduled to be held in 2020, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic until 30 November 2022, pending the outcome of some procedural issues. In December 2022, the coroner found that the victims were unlawfully killed as their deaths were caused by an incorrect manoeuvre and a series of gross errors. [5]

After the crash, regulations for airshows were significantly tightened by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), increasing costs to organisers to fund the new safety measures to a degree that led to the cancellation of later shows. [6]

Aircraft and crew

West Sussex UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Crash site
class=notpageimage|
The crash site in Lancing, West Sussex, UK

The aircraft was a 1950s two-seat Hawker Hunter T7, registration G-BXFI [7] serial 41H-670815, [8] displaying its former military serial number WV372 as part of its livery. Having first flown for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in July 1955, it was rebuilt following a fire, returning to service in 1959 after conversion to T7 specification. [9] It had been making civilian display flights as a warbird since 1998, under a variety of owners. [9] At the time of the accident, it was owned by Graham Peacock, [10] and based at North Weald Airfield, Essex. [11] The aircraft had flown to Shoreham Airport from North Weald and was scheduled to return there after the display. [8]

Andy Hill, the 51-year-old pilot, was described by colleagues as experienced, with more than 12,000 flight hours. He had worked as a captain at British Airways. He had flown Hawker Siddeley Harriers and worked as an instructor for the RAF before joining the airline. As well as the Hawker Hunter, he flew a Van's RV-8 and a BAC Jet Provost at airshows. [12] [13]

Airshow

The aircraft was taking part in the first day of the two-day Shoreham Airshow, held in aid of the Royal Air Forces Association. The conditions were hot and sunny, with a crosswind up to 15 knots, described as not unusual for this coastal location by the local media. The Hunter had been opening the afternoon session of displays; the morning programme up to 12:30 BST (11:30 UTC) had already featured The Blades aerobatic team (opening), Justyn Gorman Aerobatics, an AutoGyro Calidus, the Tiger 9 Aeronautical Display Team (six aircraft only), a Pitts Special, The Twister aerobatic team (one aircraft only), an RAF Tutor, and the RAF Falcons parachute display team. [14]

Accident

Aerial view looking south-west towards Shoreham airport. The aircraft hit the A27 dual-carriageway between the River Adur, in the foreground, and the runway. Shoreham Airport approach to runway 20.JPG
Aerial view looking south-west towards Shoreham airport. The aircraft hit the A27 dual-carriageway between the River Adur, in the foreground, and the runway.

Crash

The Hunter commenced its display with a low pass along the runway from south to north, turning for a second pass in the opposite direction. As it neared the airport, it pulled up into an inside loop. This manoeuvre started from a height of 200 feet (60 m), [8] [10] which leading aviation expert David Learmount later said "left no room for misjudgement". [15] The loop should have been started at a height of 500 feet (150 m) and a speed of at least 350 knots (650 km/h), attaining a height of 4,000 feet (1,200 m) and 150 knots (280 km/h) at the top of the loop. Only 2,700 feet (820 m) and 105 knots (194 km/h) were achieved from an initial entry speed of 310 knots (570 km/h). [16]

Before it could complete the loop, the aircraft crashed in a nose-high attitude [8] onto the west-bound carriageway of the A27 road. [8] [17] The aircraft broke into four parts on impact: cockpit, left wing and main body, tail, and right wing, [14] destroying several cars in the process. [18] Fuel escaping from the fuel tanks ignited in a large fireball and plume of smoke immediately following the impact. [8] [19] The crash occurred at 13:22 BST (12:22 UTC). [8] The first fire appliance arrived at the scene within 90 seconds of the crash. [16] Footage of the accident was captured by spectators, as well as a dashcam mounted in a car that was travelling towards the crash site. [20]

Casualties

Eleven people on the ground were killed and sixteen others were injured. [21] [18] Those confirmed dead included two players from Worthing United F.C.. [22] Eight vehicles were destroyed in the crash, including a Daimler DS420 limousine which was en route to collect a bride to transport her to church for her wedding. [23] The driver of the Daimler was one of the fatalities. [24]

The aircraft had departed from North Weald with its ejector seat in a live condition. Hill was thrown clear of the aircraft still strapped into the live seat, which posed an additional danger to rescuers. [8] Hill survived the crash with serious injuries. He was flown to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in nearby Brighton; his condition was described as critical and he was said to be fighting for his life. [25] He was subsequently placed in a medically-induced coma. [26] He was released from hospital in September 2015. [27]

After a thorough area search of the crash site, all the recovered components of the aircraft were taken to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) facility at Farnborough, Hampshire, for examination. [28]

Response

A de Havilland Sea Vixen was already airborne ready to perform the next display after the Hunter; instead it flew overhead at altitude and departed to the north. With an Avro Vulcan due half an hour later at 14:05, it was decided to let it perform a tribute flypast, after which the show was closed. [14] All the aircraft at the airport were already grounded due to the lack of fire cover and the creation of an exclusion zone around the accident site.

Following the crash, the A27 was closed in both directions, requiring those attending to exit via a height restricted route, through the industrial estate of the airport to the A259. People were initially required to remain at the Airport due to the requirement to collect evidence and witness statements. Those at the airport were initially only allowed to exit on the A27 side via the A27 footpaths. A West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service appliance was first on scene, closely followed by the airport emergency vehicles, [12] and medical personnel from the British Red Cross, who were providing medical cover at the airshow. [29] The second day of the air show on 23 August was cancelled. [30] The A27 was partially reopened on 30 August. [31]

Adur District Council (Shoreham Airport is within the Lancing parish of Adur District) set up online and physical books of condolence. [32] Together with West Sussex County Council they also opened a charitable fund to support victims of the accident, to be administered by the Sussex Community Foundation, a registered charity. [33]

In March 2017, Adur District Council announced that a series of sculptures were to be placed along the banks of the River Adur as a memorial. [34] In May 2019, a permanent memorial was erected near the Shoreham Tollbridge. [35]

Aftermath

Floral tributes to those who died, on Shoreham Tollbridge near the site of the crash People pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the Shoreham Airshow Crash.jpg
Floral tributes to those who died, on Shoreham Tollbridge near the site of the crash

The airshow at Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, which took place the following weekend, opened with "a pause for thought" for those who died at Shoreham. [36] The Clacton airshow takes place over the sea, similar to the Bournemouth Airshow which took place the same weekend as the accident and ran for both days. [37]

On 24 August 2015, the CAA imposed restrictions on "vintage jet aircraft" performing over land at airshows until further notice, reducing displays to flypasts only. In addition, all Hawker Hunters on the United Kingdom civil aircraft register were grounded until further notice, [38] [39] although military-registered Hunters were not affected. [40] The restrictions were to remain in place until the completion of the investigation into the accident, and a wider review of safety at airshows was to be undertaken by the CAA. [41] [42] In January 2016, the CAA brought in stricter requirements for airshows in the United Kingdom. [43] The grounding of civilian Hunters was lifted on 6 July 2017; however, aircraft would be subject to enhanced maintenance and inspection regimes before a permit to fly would be granted. The ban on Hawker Hunter and other jet aircraft on the United Kingdom civil register performing aerobatic manoeuvres remained in place. [42] On 1 March 2018, the CAA lifted its ban on straight-wing ex-military jet aircraft from performing aerobatics at airshows; a ban on swept-wing aircraft remained in place. [44]

The airshow scheduled to be held at Durham Tees Valley Airport on 29 August 2015 was postponed. Organisers stated that the new regulations in place would have "severely limited" some of the displays of the jet aircraft. The airshow would have been the first in the area since 1989; [45] it took place in 2016. [46]

Other air shows on the following weekend were not postponed but some displays were altered to match the CAA restrictions, including the Wings and Wheels display at Dunsfold Aerodrome where a one-minute silent tribute to the victims was held before the start of the air display. [47]

As of February 2023, no further Shoreham Airshow has taken place or been announced. [48] [49] [50] Hill's pilot's licence was suspended after the accident. It was reported in December 2023 that he was trying to have it reinstated. Relatives of the victims pledged to try to prevent its reinstatement. [51]

The 2016 Llandudno Airshow was cancelled, due to a lack of time to make changes in light of new regulations introduced by the CAA. [52] For the 2016 Farnborough Airshow, the Red Arrows performed a flypast rather than an aerobatic display, stating that the latter would not be appropriate in the aftermath of the Shoreham accident. [53] [54]

In August 2016, it was reported that the aircraft's owners had admitted liability for the accident in late 2015. Two claims for compensation had been settled with a third in the final stages of settlement. [55] [ needs update ]

In March 2019 it was announced that the public flying days at the Farnborough Airshow would not continue. "Negative and vitriolic feedback" following the 2018 airshow, falling visitor numbers and tighter regulations introduced in the wake of the crash at Shoreham – which made it impossible for exhibitors such as the Red Arrows to perform aerobatics close to populated areas – were given as factors that contributed towards the decision. Farnborough would be a five-day trade show, with public admittance on the Friday only. [56]

Investigations

AAIB

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), responsible for investigating civil aviation accidents and incidents in the United Kingdom, sent a team to Shoreham. [57] As a part of the investigation, the AAIB appealed for members of the public to contact them if they had photographs or video of the accident, [17] and received a large number of such recordings from a variety of locations around the airport. [8] The aircraft was not equipped with a cockpit voice recorder or a flight data recorder. [58] The AAIB published an interim report on 4 September. The report stated that "To date, no abnormal indications have been identified. Throughout the flight, the aircraft appeared to be responding to the pilot's control inputs". [8]

A second Special Bulletin was published by the AAIB on 21 December 2015. It revealed that the aircraft was not compliant with its Permit to Fly insofar as the ejection seat cartridges installed in the aircraft had passed their expiry date. The maintenance organisation had ordered new cartridges in January 2014, but they did not arrive until June 2015 (two months before the accident) and the maintainer decided to fit them at the aircraft's next annual inspection in February 2016. The maintainer stated it was acting under the privileges of its maintenance approvals. The CAA was reported to be of the view that the maintainer did not have such privilege. [59]

An issue of compliance with a Mandatory Permit Directive (MPD) in relation to time between engine overhauls raised questions as to whether the aircraft's Permit to Fly was valid on the day that it was issued. The CAA stated that it was unclear whether an Alternative Means of Compliance (AMOC) was in effect at the time for the accident aircraft, which would mean the Permit to Fly was valid. According to the AAIB's second interim report, "On this basis [the CAA] could not determine if the aircraft met the requirements of its Permit to Fly from December 2014 onwards." [59] : 10  The second Special Bulletin made seven safety recommendations. [59]

A third update was published on 10 March 2016. This Special Bulletin covered the organisation of the airshow at Shoreham, and airshows in the United Kingdom in general, with particular attention to risk management. Comparison was made with how airshows are organised in Australia, Canada and the United States. British civil and military rules were examined separately. It was reported that at the 2014 Shoreham Airshow, G-BXFI had overflown Lancing with a bank angle in excess of 90°. The pilot had not been instructed to stop his display. The AAIB did not name the pilot of G-BXFI who flew the 2014 display. It was also reported that the Flying Display Director at both displays did not have prior knowledge of the display intended to be flown. The issue of low flying during air displays was investigated. A previous accident involving glider BGA 4665 at an air race in Leicestershire in August 2005 had resulted in a recommendation to the CAA to remove the exemption, enjoyed by aircraft participating in an airshow, from normal low flying rules. This had not been done, despite the CAA agreeing with the recommendation. [60] : 13–15  It was noted that the police had no powers to prevent people from watching an airshow from outside the boundaries of the venue where it was taking place. In the case of Shoreham, neither Sussex Police nor the organisers had asked for such powers. Signs had been put out on the A27 by the airshow organisers stating that "viewing was prohibited and that offenders may be prosecuted". Another issue considered was how often CAA Flight Standards Officers attended airshows: only 1.4% of airshows in 2014 and 7.1% of airshows in 2015 had been attended. Fourteen recommendations were made. [60] In January 2017, the CAA stated that it accepted all the recommendations made by the AAIB. [61]

The final report of the investigation of the accident was published on 3 March 2017. The cause of the accident was found to be pilot error: the pilot failed to recognise that the aircraft was too low to perform the loop. [16] In December 2019, the AAIB issued a supplement to its final report, following additional analysis of the pilot's actions. Additional evidence as to how G-forces may have affected the pilot was examined. The AAIB concluded that the findings in the final report were correct. [62]

Sussex Police

Sussex Police opened a criminal investigation into the accident. Hill was released from hospital in early September 2015 [27] and was interviewed by police in December. [63] In February 2016, it was announced that the police investigation was being extended to cover an incident at an airshow in Southport, Merseyside, in August 2014. [64] That incident involved a BAC Jet Provost aircraft which had descended too low and got too close to the crowd line whilst being flown by Hill; he was ordered to cease flying the display by the airshow's Flying Display Director. [65] A CAA Flight Standards Officer did not attend that airshow. [60]

Sussex Police applied to the High Court for a disclosure of certain evidence gathered by the AAIB: copies of interviews between the AAIB and Hill, the results of tests carried out by the AAIB and video evidence filmed from inside the aircraft during its display. At the High Court on 28 September 2016, an order was made that the onboard video evidence would be released, but not copies of the interview or the results of tests. [66] They intended to present a file to the CPS before the pre-inquest review on 20 June 2017, [67] but stated then that their investigation was not quite complete. [68] Hill was interviewed again under caution on 1 June 2017. [69] It was reported on 30 November that Sussex Police had sent a file to the CPS, who would decide whether or not any criminal charges would be laid. [70] On 21 March 2018, the CPS announced that Hill had been charged with eleven counts of manslaughter by gross negligence and one count of endangering an aircraft contrary to Article 137 of the Air Navigation Order 2009. Owing to the prosecution, the inquest was postponed until after the trial had concluded. [71] [72] [73]

Criminal trial

The Old Bailey, London Oldbaileylondon-900.jpg
The Old Bailey, London

Proceedings against Hill began at Westminster Magistrates' Court, London, on 19 April 2018. Hill indicated that he would enter pleas of not guilty and was bailed to appear at the Old Bailey on 17 May. [74] The trial there started on 15 May, when Hill pleaded not guilty, and was adjourned until 14 January 2019. [75] Hill was granted bail. A pre-trial review took place on 8 January 2019. Hill indicated that his defence was to be that he had been disabled by g-forces during the flight. [76]

The trial at the Old Bailey resumed as scheduled on 14 January before Mr Justice Edis. [72] [77] On 15 January, a jury of eight women and four men was selected from 56 members of the public, who had passed initial screening. [78] On 17 January, the jury were shown video of the accident that had not been previously released to the media. The prosecution alleged that previous incidents Hill had been involved in showed that he appeared to have a "cavalier attitude" to safety and played "fast and loose" with the rules. [79] On 4 February, the court decamped to Gatwick Aviation Museum, Charlwood, Surrey, which has a Hawker Hunter on display. Jurors were shown the aircraft's controls and the instruments were explained to them. They were given the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of the aircraft and touch the flying controls. Both prosecution and defence provided an expert witness to assist the jury. Hill did not attend the museum. [80]

On 8 March 2019, Hill was found not guilty on each of the 11 counts of manslaughter by gross negligence. The jury reached unanimous decisions on each of the counts following seven hours of deliberation. The judge also formally acquitted Hill on the count of negligently or recklessly endangering the safety of an aircraft, which had not been put to the jury. At the conclusion of the trial, Edis commended the relatives of the victims on the very dignified way they had behaved. [81] [82] Relatives of the victims stated that they were devastated by the verdict. Sussex Police paid tribute to their dignity, adding that they respected the jury's decision. [83] Outside the court after the trial Hill read out the names of all those killed in the incident and said "I am truly sorry for the part I played in their deaths, and it is all I will remember for the rest of my life." [83]

Inquest

A coroner's inquest was opened on 2 September 2015 in Horsham, West Sussex. After the naming of all the victims and a minute's silence, the inquest was adjourned pending the AAIB and police investigations. [84] [85] [86] [87] [88] At the pre-inquest hearing in June 2017, Sussex Police stated that its investigation was 95% complete. [68] [89] [90] Due to the prosecution of Hill, the inquest was postponed. [71] [91] The date for the inquest, which is scheduled to last for six weeks, was set as September 2020. The inquest would be held without a jury: the senior coroner Penelope Schofield ruled that the public interest can be better served by herself sitting alone. [92] In May 2020, it was announced that the inquest would be postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to allow families of the deceased to attend the inquest in person. [93] The inquest was further postponed to a date in 2022. [94]

In February 2022, the High Court refused the coroner access to video footage shot from the cockpit of the aircraft, stating that there "is neither credible evidence nor [...] a credible suggestion that the AAIB investigations were incomplete, flawed or deficient on the issue of cognitive impairment." A wider concern was that allowing the use of the video would hamper investigations into future aviation accidents. Dame Victoria Sharp endorsed a concern that disclosure of protected materials would make witnesses less forthcoming in dealing with the AAIB. [95]

The inquest resumed on 30 November 2022. [96] A request by Hill that a verdict of unlawful killing be ruled out was rejected by the coroner. [97] In December 2022, seven years after the crash, the coroner ruled that the victims were unlawfully killed. [98] The coroner described Hill's flying as "exceptionally bad", and the airshow's safety plan as "not fit for purpose". [99]

In February 2023, Hill applied to the High Court of Justice for permission for a judicial review of the inquest. [100] The application was refused by the High Court. In June 2023, it was reported that the deadline to challenge the refusal had passed. Hill had not challenged the refusal. [101]

Licence appeal

The CAA suspended Hill's pilots licence following the accident. [102] In early October 2024 he unsuccessfully appealed the suspension. [103] The CAA stated that because Hill sought to disassociate himself from the accident, and that he referred to himself in the third person, it was of the opinion that Hill was not fit to hold the pilot's and radio telephony licences which he had appealed the suspension of. [104]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sywell Aerodrome</span> Airport in Northampton

Sywell Aerodrome is the local aerodrome serving the towns of Northampton, Wellingborough, Kettering and Rushden, as well as wider Northamptonshire. The aerodrome is located 5 nautical miles northeast of Northampton and was originally opened in 1928 on the edge of Sywell village.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farnborough International Airshow</span> UK airshow and arms trade exhibition

The Farnborough International Airshow is a trade exhibition for the aerospace and defence industries, where civilian and military aircraft are demonstrated to potential customers and investors in Farnborough, Hampshire. Since its first show in 1948, Farnborough has seen the debut of many famous aeroplanes, including the Vickers VC10, Concorde, the Eurofighter, the Airbus A380, and the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. At the 1958 show, Hawker Hunters of the RAF's Black Arrows executed a 22-aircraft formation loop, setting a new world record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brighton City Airport</span> Airport in England

Brighton City Airport, also commonly known as Shoreham Airport, is located in Lancing near Shoreham by Sea in West Sussex, England. It has a CAA Public Use Aerodrome Licence that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Buckenham Airfield</span> Airport in South Norfolk

Old Buckenham Airfield, formerly RAF Old Buckenham, is located 12 nautical miles southwest of Norwich, East Anglia, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1952 Farnborough Airshow crash</span> Jet fighter crash in England

On 6 September 1952, a prototype de Havilland DH.110 jet fighter crashed during an aerial display at the Farnborough Airshow in Hampshire, England. The jet disintegrated mid-air during an aerobatic manoeuvre, causing the death of pilot John Derry and onboard flight test observer Anthony Richards. Debris from the aircraft fell onto a crowd of spectators, killing 29 people and injuring 60.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shoreham Airshow</span> Airshow in Sussex, England

Shoreham Airshow took place annually in the late summer at Brighton City Airport, on the south coast of England. It was organised by volunteers from the local branch of the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA), and held in aid of the RAFA Wings Appeal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Biggin Hill Cessna Citation crash</span> Private plane crash in England

On 30 March 2008, a Cessna 501 Citation crashed into a house in Farnborough, London (UK), near Biggin Hill Airport, from where the aircraft had taken off a short time before. There were no survivors among the five people on board, which included former racing drivers Richard Lloyd and David Leslie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avro Vulcan XH558</span> Last formerly airworthy Avro Vulcan jet bomber

Avro VulcanXH558Spirit of Great Britain was the last remaining airworthy example of the 134 Avro Vulcan jet-powered delta winged strategic nuclear bomber aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force during the Cold War. It was the last Vulcan in military service, and the last to fly at all after 1986. It last flew on 28 October 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan-Air Flight 0034</span> 1979 aviation accident

Dan-Air Flight 0034 was a fatal accident involving a Hawker Siddeley HS 748 series 1 turboprop aircraft operated by Dan-Air Services Limited on an oil industry charter flight from Sumburgh Airport, Shetland Islands, to Aberdeen Airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastbourne Airbourne (air show)</span> Air show in Eastbourne, England

Eastbourne Airbourne, also known as the Eastbourne International Airshow, is a 4-day international air show that runs every August in Eastbourne, East Sussex, England. The event features Battle of Britain memorial flights and aircraft from the RAF and USAF, among others, and enjoys a long relationship with the Red Arrows display team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Navy Historic Flight</span> Military unit

The Royal Navy Historic Flight (RNHF) was the historic flight of the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy up until its disbandment in March 2019. The RNHF maintained and flew a small number of aircraft that were important to British Naval aviation. The organisation was not part of the military establishment; it had charitable status and was staffed by civilians. It was based at RNAS Yeovilton and provided aircraft for air displays.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bournemouth Air Festival</span> Annual air show in the United Kingdom

The Bournemouth Air Festival is an annual air show held along the coast at Bournemouth, in Dorset, England. It has featured aircraft from the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy, as well as civil aviation displays. Since its formation in 2008, the festival claims to have entertained over ten million people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AeroSuperBatics</span> British civilian formation aerobatics and wing-walking team

AeroSuperBatics Limited, legally known as Aero-Super-Batics Limited, and commonly known merely as AeroSuperBatics, is a British civilian biplane multi-aircraft formation aerobatics and wing walking team. They currently perform as The AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers, and were branded as 'The Flying Circus' in 2018. They were previously branded Breitling 'Swiss Chronographs' in accordance with their sponsorship agreement with the Swiss watch manufacturer Breitling. Prior to that, branding included Guinot 'Institut Paris', Colt Cars, St.Ivel 'Utterly Butterly', Cadbury's 'Crunchie', and Yugo Cars, according to their commercial sponsors at the time. Their display options currently consist of either a solo aircraft, or a two-ship formation pair, or a three-ship display, and previously included a four-ship formation, and during the 2008 display season, a five-ship formation. They are the world's only formation wingwalking team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haughey Air AgustaWestland AW139 crash</span> Airplane crash in 2014

On 13 March 2014, an AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter of Haughey Air crashed shortly after taking off at night in fog from Gillingham, Norfolk, United Kingdom, killing all four people on board. Among the victims was Edward Haughey, Baron Ballyedmond.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Blackbushe Phenom 300 crash</span> Runway excursion accident in England

On 31 July 2015, an Embraer Phenom 300 business jet crashed into a car park next to Blackbushe Airport in Hampshire, United Kingdom, while attempting to land. The sole pilot and all three passengers on board were killed. The three passengers were members of the bin Laden family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joint Aircraft Recovery and Transportation Squadron</span> UK military joint aircraft recovery unit

The Joint Aircraft Recovery and Transportation Squadron (JARTS), informally known as Crash and Smash, is a combined Royal Navy and Royal Air Force squadron that is tasked with the recovery and surface transportation of aircraft under the aegis of the British military framework. The squadron operates worldwide, and recovering aircraft from post-crash incidents is a large part of their work. Whilst they are a component of the British military, they may be asked to attend and recover aircraft from non-military incidents as they have a Memorandum of Understanding with the UK's Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Leicester helicopter crash</span> Aviation disaster in Leicester, England

On 27 October 2018, a Leonardo AW169 helicopter crashed shortly after take-off from Leicester City's King Power Stadium in Leicester, England, while on route to Luton Airport. All people on board—the pilot and four passengers, including club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha—were killed in the crash. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch attributed the crash to a loss of yaw control owing to a failure of the tail rotor control linkage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 English Channel Piper PA-46 crash</span> Aviation accident in the Channel Islands

On 21 January 2019, a Piper PA-46 Malibu light aircraft transporting Argentine football player Emiliano Sala crashed in the English Channel off Alderney in the Channel Islands. It had been travelling from Nantes, France, to Cardiff, Wales. Sala was due to begin his career at Cardiff City.

References

  1. ↑ "Shoreham Airshow crash: Pilot in critical condition". TV News Room. Archived from the original on 23 August 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  2. ↑ "Shoreham Air Show crash: 'Highly likely' 11 people dead". BBC News . 23 August 2015. Archived from the original on 23 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  3. ↑ "Up To 20 People Killed in Air Show Disaster". Sky News Room. Sky News. Archived from the original on 24 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  4. ↑ "Shoreham Airshow crash pilot acquitted over deaths", BBC News, 8 March 2019, archived from the original on 5 November 2019, retrieved 3 August 2019
  5. ↑ "Shoreham Airshow inquest". West Sussex County Council. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  6. ↑ "What Happened In The World Of Aviation After The Shoreham Airshow Crash?". Forces Network. 11 March 2019. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  7. ↑ Hoyle, Craig (24 August 2015). "Investigators seek answers after Shoreham Hunter crash". Flightglobal. Reed Business Information. Archived from the original on 25 August 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "AAIB Bulletin 3/2015 SPECIAL" (PDF). Air Accidents Investigation Branch. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 October 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  9. 1 2 "Hawker Hunter – Survivor WV372 (G-BXFI)". Thunder & Lightnings. Archived from the original on 24 August 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  10. 1 2 Boyle, Danny (24 August 2015). "Shoreham Air Show disaster: Everything we know about plane crash". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 23 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  11. ↑ "Clacton Airshow will 'go ahead' in wake of Shoreham crash". BBC News. 24 August 2015. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  12. 1 2 "Airshow crash pilot a 'gifted' flyer". Bognor Regis Observer. Johnston Publishing Ltd. Archived from the original on 24 August 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  13. ↑ Rawlinson, Kevin (23 August 2015). "Shoreham crash pilot is experienced aerobatic flyer". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  14. 1 2 3 "Vulcan flypast pays tribute after crash" Archived 12 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine , Shoreham Herald, 22 August 2015.
  15. ↑ Barrett, David (5 September 2015). "Shoreham air disaster pilot began fatal loop-the-loop 300ft lower than allowed". The Telegraph.
  16. 1 2 3 "Report on the accident to Hawker Hunter T7, G-BXFI near Shoreham Airport on 22 August 2015" (PDF). Air Accidents Investigation Branch. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  17. 1 2 "Shoreham plane crash: Seven dead after Hawker Hunter hits cars". BBC News . Archived from the original on 22 August 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  18. 1 2 Chris Johnston. "Seven people dead after plane crashes on to cars during Shoreham air show". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 22 May 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  19. ↑ "Amateur video shows Shoreham Air Show crash". BBC News. BBC. BBC. 22 August 2015. Archived from the original on 1 September 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  20. ↑ "Shoreham air crash: Dashcam footage shows plane's final moments". The Independent. 24 August 2015. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  21. ↑ "Shoreham air crash death toll 'rises to 11'". BBC News. 23 August 2015. Archived from the original on 23 August 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  22. ↑ "Two Footballers En Route To Away Game Named As Victims of Shoreham Crash". RTLEC. Archived from the original on 26 August 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  23. ↑ "Wedding car destroyed on its way to pick up bride". Metro . 24 August 2015. p. 2.
  24. ↑ "Daimler chauffeur was air crash victim". BBC News. 24 August 2015. Archived from the original on 27 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  25. ↑ "Shoreham air crash: Pilot 'fighting for life'". BBC News. 22 August 2015. Archived from the original on 22 August 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  26. ↑ "Shoreham Airshow crash: Vintage jet restrictions announced". BBC. 24 August 2015. Archived from the original on 24 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  27. 1 2 "Shoreham Air Show crash: Pilot Andy Hill to be quizzed by police". Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 1 November 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  28. ↑ "Shoreham Airshow crash: Crane removes jet wreckage". BBC News. 24 August 2015. Archived from the original on 24 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  29. ↑ "Red Cross volunteers provide support after Shoreham air crash". British Red Cross. Archived from the original on 8 April 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  30. ↑ @shorehamairshow (22 August 2015). "Shoreham Airshow" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  31. ↑ "Shoreham Air Show: A27 reopens after plane crash". BBC News. 30 August 2015. Archived from the original on 30 August 2015. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  32. ↑ "Shoreham Airshow Book of Condolence". Adur and Worthing Councils. Archived from the original on 29 August 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  33. ↑ "Official fund for Shoreham Airshow crash donations". Worthing Herald. 25 August 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  34. ↑ "Memorial for the victims of the Shoreham air disaster". ITN News Meridian. 29 March 2017. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  35. ↑ "Shoreham air crash memorial emerges along river Adur". BBC News Online. 20 May 2019. Archived from the original on 4 February 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  36. ↑ "Clacton Airshow remembers Shoreham crash victims". BBC. 27 August 2015. Archived from the original on 9 October 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  37. ↑ "No changes to Clacton Airshow following Shoreham tragedy". Essex County Standard. Newsquest. Archived from the original on 12 September 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  38. ↑ Khomami, Nadia (24 August 2015). "Shoreham air crash: vintage jet aircraft displays to be significantly restricted – latest updates". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
  39. ↑ "Safety Directive: Number SD-2015/003" (PDF). Civil Aviation Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  40. ↑ "News: Aug 2015 – HHA comment to Shoreham Hunter crash – not an HHA aircraft". Hawker Hunter Aviation. Archived from the original on 9 September 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  41. ↑ "Daring displays banned to make air shows safer". Metro. 25 August 2015. pp. 1, 4.
  42. 1 2 "SD-2015/003: Hawker Hunter Series Aeroplanes on UK Civil Register". Civil Aviation Authority. 25 August 2015. Archived from the original on 23 July 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  43. ↑ "CAP 1371: UK Civil Air Display Review: Actions that impact on UK civil air displays in 2016" (PDF). Civil Aviation Authority. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 June 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  44. ↑ "Safety Notice SN-2018/001" (PDF). Civil Aviation Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 March 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  45. ↑ "Durham Tees Valley air show postponed". BBC News. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  46. ↑ "2016 Airshow". Skylive events. Archived from the original on 4 March 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  47. ↑ "Tributes to crash victims at Dunsfold air show". BBC News. 29 August 2015. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  48. ↑ "Shoreham Airshow". RAFA Shoreham Airshow. Archived from the original on 28 January 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  49. ↑ "Shoreham Airshow cancelled after crash which killed 11 people". BBC News. 21 January 2016. Archived from the original on 21 January 2016. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  50. ↑ "Shoreham Airshow 2017: Event will not be held while investigations continue". The Argus. High Wycombe: Newsquest Media (Southern) Ltd. 12 January 2017. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  51. ↑ "Parents of Shoreham air crash victim say they will 'try to stop' pilot having license reinstated". ITN Meridian. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  52. ↑ Waddington, Marc (5 February 2016). "Llandudno Air Show 2016 cancelled". Daily post. Archived from the original on 5 February 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  53. ↑ "Red Arrows Farnborough aerobatic display scrapped". BBC News Online. 16 June 2016. Archived from the original on 19 June 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  54. ↑ "Farnborough Air Show 2016: Red Arrows perform flypast after scrapping flying display". 16 July 2016. Archived from the original on 26 November 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  55. ↑ "Shoreham air crash families get compensation". BBC News Online. 19 August 2016. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  56. ↑ "Farnborough Airshow public weekend axed". BBC News Online. 5 March 2019. Archived from the original on 5 March 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  57. ↑ "The AAIB has deployed a team to Shoreham". Air Accidents Investigation Branch. Archived from the original on 24 August 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
  58. ↑ "Shoreham air disaster: Floods slow air crash searches". BBC News. 25 August 2015. Archived from the original on 25 August 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  59. 1 2 3 "AAIB Bulletin S4/2015 SPECIAL" (PDF). Air Accidents Investigation Branch. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  60. 1 2 3 "AAIB Bulletin S1/2016 SPECIAL" (PDF). Air Accidents Investigation Branch. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  61. ↑ "CAA accepts safety recommendations issued following Shoreham crash". Independent Television News Meridian. 24 January 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2017.
  62. ↑ "AAIB Bulletin G-BFXI EW/C2015/08/04 Supplement" (PDF). Air Accident Investigation Branch. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  63. ↑ "Shoreham crash: Pilot Andy Hill interviewed by police". BBC News Online. 18 December 2015. Archived from the original on 21 December 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  64. ↑ "Shoreham air crash: Probe looks at 'second airshow incident'". BBC News Online. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  65. ↑ "ITV News exclusive: Shoreham air crash pilot 'involved in second incident'". Independent Television News. 2 February 2016. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  66. ↑ "Police refused access to Shoreham pilot interviews". BBC News. BBC News Online. 28 September 2016. Archived from the original on 28 September 2016. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  67. ↑ "Sussex Police to review the Air Accident Investigation Branch's report into the Shoreham air crash". Sussex Police. 3 March 2017. Archived from the original on 6 March 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  68. 1 2 "Shoreham air disaster police probe '95% complete'". BBC News. 20 June 2017. Archived from the original on 23 June 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  69. ↑ "Shoreham air crash: Pilot Andy Hill re-interviewed by police". BBC News. BBC News Online. 7 June 2017. Archived from the original on 10 June 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  70. ↑ "Prosecutors consider criminal charges over Shoreham air crash". Independent Television News. 30 November 2017. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  71. 1 2 Roberts, Joe (21 March 2018). "Shoreham airshow disaster pilot will be charged over 11 deaths". Metro. Associated Newspapers Limited. Archived from the original on 21 March 2018. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  72. 1 2 Barlow, Aidan. "Shoreham air crash pilot Andrew Hill goes on trial". The Argus. Newsquest. Archived from the original on 14 January 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  73. ↑ "Shoreham crash pilot investigated for manslaughter". BBC News. BBC News Online. 8 July 2016. Archived from the original on 8 July 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  74. ↑ "Shoreham air crash: Pilot Andy Hill in court over 11 deaths". BBC News. BBC News Online. 19 April 2018. Archived from the original on 19 April 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  75. ↑ "Shoreham air crash: Pilot Andy Hill denies manslaughter of 11 men". BBC News Online. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  76. ↑ Hendy, Aaron. "Shoreham Airshow pilot will claim he was 'disabled by G-force'". The Argus. Newsquest Media (Southern) Ltd. Archived from the original on 9 January 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  77. ↑ "What's on at the Old Bailey today, Jan 14". Old Bailey Insight & Legal London. 11 January 2019. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  78. ↑ "Shoreham Airshow crash: Jury sworn in for trial of pilot Andrew Hill". The News. IJP Media. 15 January 2019. Archived from the original on 16 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  79. ↑ Berg Olsen, Martine (17 January 2019). "Moment before 11 men were killed in Shoreham Airshow stunt". Metro. Associated Newspapers Lte. Archived from the original on 19 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  80. ↑ "Shoreham air crash trial: Jurors given tour of similar jet". BBC News Online. 4 February 2019. Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
  81. ↑ "Shoreham pilot cleared over crash deaths". BBC News. BBC News Online. 8 March 2019. Archived from the original on 26 March 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  82. ↑ Hartley-Parkinson, Richard (8 March 2019). "Pilot found not guilty of killing 11 men in Shoreham air crash". Metro. Associated Newspapers. Archived from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  83. 1 2 "Families 'devastated' as Shoreham Airshow crash pilot is cleared of killing 11". Metro. Associated Newspapers. 8 March 2019. Archived from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  84. ↑ "Shoreham air crash inquests: Last victim Graham Mallinson named". BBC News. 2 September 2015. Archived from the original on 2 September 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  85. ↑ "Red tape delaying investigation into Shoreham Airshow disaster". Brighton Argus. Newsquest Media (Southern) Ltd. Archived from the original on 3 April 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  86. ↑ Comeau, Dave. "Inquest for Bluebell Railway volunteer killed in Shoreham Airshow crash moves a step closer". East Grinstead Courier. Local World. Archived from the original on 19 September 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  87. ↑ "Shoreham Airshow inquest hearing dates". West Sussex County Council. 21 November 2016. Archived from the original on 23 December 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  88. ↑ "Pilot errors led to Shoreham air crash, says AAIB". BBC News. Archived from the original on 3 March 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  89. ↑ "Latest News". West Sussex County Council. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  90. ↑ "Shoreham Air Crash pre-inquest review postponed". Independent Television News. 9 January 2018. Archived from the original on 10 January 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  91. ↑ "Shoreham Airshow inquest – Hearing Dates". West Sussex County Council. Archived from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  92. ↑ "Shoreham Airshow inquest to be held without a jury". BBC News. 29 January 2020. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  93. ↑ "Coronavirus: Shoreham Airshow crash inquests postponed". BBC News. 15 May 2020. Archived from the original on 7 September 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  94. ↑ "Inquest into Shoreham airshow deaths delayed until 2022". ITN Meridian. 16 June 2021. Archived from the original on 4 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  95. ↑ "Shoreham inquests coroner loses court bid for pilot cockpit footage". ITN Meridian. 4 February 2022. Archived from the original on 4 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  96. ↑ "Inquest into deaths of 11 men who died in Shoreham Airshow crash due to begin". ITN Meridian. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  97. ↑ "Shoreham air crash: Coroner apologises for delay to inquest". BBC News. 30 November 2022. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  98. ↑ "Shoreham air crash victims unlawfully killed, coroner concludes". BBC News. 20 December 2022. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  99. ↑ "Shoreham Air Crash: Low Standards". Private Eye. No. 1589. 6 January 2023. p. 38.
  100. ↑ "Shoreham air crash: Pilot seeks judicial review of inquest verdict". BBC News. 6 February 2023. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  101. ↑ "Shoreham air crash: Pilot drops challenge on inquest verdict". BBC News Online. 1 June 2023. Archived from the original on 1 September 2024. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  102. ↑ Fuller, Christian. "Air crash pilot applies to get flying licence back". BBC News Online. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  103. ↑ "Shoreham air crash pilot applies to get flying licence back". Brighton and Hove News. 2 October 2024.
  104. ↑ "Shoreham air crash pilot has flying bid rejected". BBC News Online. Retrieved 17 October 2024.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.