Hurricane Crash - Pilot Killed

Soldato
Joined
15 Jan 2004
Posts
10,208
_44118810_plane_ady_goddard203.jpg


The pilot of a WWII plane was killed when his aircraft crashed during an airshow display in West Sussex.

A spokesman for Shoreham Airshow in West Sussex confirmed that one person died when the Hurricane went down in countryside at 1520 BST.

He said no-one else was hurt or injured during the accident which took place north of the A27 on Saturday afternoon.

The Air Accident Investigation Board is expected to carry out an investigation into the cause of the crash.

Two Messerschmitts, five Spitfires and three Hurricanes were taking part in a WWII re-enactment when the incident happened.

Tim Deakin, who saw the plane plough into the hillside, told BBC News 24: "The main point of the show was a Second World War dogfight between some Messerschmitts and some Spitfires.

"Midway through the dogfight one of the planes, I'm not sure which one, literally, turned quite steeply, went into almost a straight dive and ploughed into a hill probably about a mile from the airfield."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6996734.stm

:(
 
And now we await the usual talking heads on TV and in the papers wanting to ban flying such old aircraft. To pre-empt them: rubbish. It's what these planes are for. The pilots understand the risk and love the job.


RIP.


M
 
Just got back from Shoreham Airshow. I'm still stunned and cannot get the image of the plane disappearing behind the trees, nose down, out of my head. Most of us thought it was part of the show, and it took a good ten seconds or so after the crash for any sign of fire or smoke.

An otherwise fantastic day marred by tragedy. My heart goes out to the pilot's family and friends. Kudos to all the other pilots who decided that the show should go on, especially the five Spitfire pilots who almost immediately formed up in "friend missing" formation.

RIP. You will not be forgotten. :(
 
Did the Hurricane suffer the same problem as the Spitfire that it can't nose dive because of the way the fuel pump worked?
 
Very sad loss indeed - both the pilot and the plane. RIP. :(

And Meridian, I agree completely with you - Spitfire, Hurricane, Lancaster, and Vulcan (soon), are all part of our history and are where they rightly should be, with TLC from a very dedicated team of individuals that go above and beyond what would be expected pretty much anywhere else in the aviation industry. Long may they continue that tradition.
 
Very sad loss indeed - both the pilot and the plane. RIP. :(

And Meridian, I agree completely with you - Spitfire, Hurricane, Lancaster, and Vulcan (soon), are all part of our history and are where they rightly should be, with TLC from a very dedicated team of individuals that go above and beyond what would be expected pretty much anywhere else in the aviation industry. Long may they continue that tradition.

I can't wait to see the Vulcan fly.

RIP:(
 
I can see the airfield from my window :(

Such a terrible tragedy especially as it has everybody out together in the street in Shoreham watching from the road, which is a rare occurrance these days.

Its a pity that the only thing that puts shoreham on the map is the crashing of light aircraft.

Rest in Peace.

/EDIT i've just realised that I probably heard the crash. Was working on the car and there was a loud bang and my dad came out because he thought the car had fallen on me . Very sad indeed and chilling that I may have heard it :(
 
Last edited:
/EDIT i've just realised that I probably heard the crash. Was working on the car and there was a loud bang and my dad came out because he thought the car had fallen on me . Very sad indeed and chilling that I may have heard it :(

It is much more likely that you heard the pyrotechnics associated with the mock dogfight as they seemed to creat much more noise than the crash itself.
 
Absolutely terrible news - RIP pilot.

Sad to see old aircraft lost. It must have been so touching to see the 'missing man' formation being flown by the other pilots.

Very dark weekend all round for aviation.
 
Back
Top Bottom