Shoreham Air Show Plane Crash

[Ex-Ascot]

Boac, I have great respect for Henry. It is the pre-judgment I was objecting too. Sure Andy will have those lives on his conscious for the rest of his life but let him say what happened before saying it would have been better if he had not lived.

As military pilots most of us have had close calls at some time another. I haven't actually planted a jet outside an airfield but I have made a mess of one on an airfield and had a few very close calls in the air.

[Boac]

Ex-A - I did not read HC's post as in any way a 'pre-judgement', but merely a statement of fact, and, as it happens, my view too. An awful situation. How do you think you would react?

I find myself also wondering what the state of mind of the Glasgow bin-lorry driver will be in the future.

By the way - anyone - do we have any news of the injured public? I believe some of the burns were very serious.

[Cacophonix]

One of the unfortunate consequences of this accident has been a fear that smaller air shows next year will be cancelled or curtailed as a result of higher insurance premiums resulting in smaller incomes from these events for armed forces charities.

Armed Forces charities fear they will be hundreds of thousands of pounds worse off next year because air shows are likely to be cancelled in the wake of the Shoreham air disaster. Organisers of air displays are bracing themselves for a major hike in insurance premiums as a result of the Hawker Hunter crash that claimed 11 lives, which will make some shows financially unviable.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/aviation/11859665/Armed-Forces-charities-face-funding-shortfall-as-Shoreham-disaster-puts-air-shows-under-threat.html

Caco

[Ex-Ascot]

Boac, sorry a bit behind the drag curve on this thread. How can you compare a bin lorry driver with a history of blackouts to a display pilot BA Captain with class 1 medical?

Yes it would be nice to hear how the injured are doing.

Any news on interviews with Andy?

[Boac]

Ex-A - I think you have mis-understood. The 'comparison' is in the effect innocent deaths would have on someone, not the event itself.

[Ex-Ascot]

OK Boac, copied. Both tragic accidents. Bit off thread but that driver should be charged with man slaughter.

[Boac]

Latest statement from the Police

Sussex Police have confirmed that the pilot of the Shoreham Airshow Hawker Hunter, Andy Hill, is still not fit for interview.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Rymarz who is leading the police investigation into the Shoreham Airshow crash, said: “The interview of the pilot forms an integral part of the police investigation, but at this time his fitness for interview has not been confirmed.

“Additionally, we are still in an evidence-gathering stage, with appropriate expert assistance, as we need to fully understand every element of what is a very complex subject in order to gain maximum benefit from that interview.

“The families of the victims have been updated as to the reasons why the pilot has not yet been interviewed.”

[Ex-Ascot]

I really don't understand this police involvement. Surely it is down to the AAIB? Mr Plod wouldn't understand a thing about the circumstances leading up to the accident. 'I see sir, and what speed were you doing when proceeding down the road'.

[CharlieOneSix]

Yes, down to the AAIB for the cause but the Police will have to prepare evidence in respect of the deaths on the road for the Coroner - and for other organisations I should think.

[Boac]

Absolutely, C16, 11 deaths and several serious injuries. Back to the Glasgow bin lorry, I'm afraid ex-A - do you think the police should not have been involved there?

[Ex-Ascot]

OK, but AAIB first. I wonder who decides when Andy is fit to question.

The Glasgow incident is obviously police or maybe the BLIB! No disrespect to those killed and injured.

[Capetonian]

I think that under the law in England and Wales, the police have a statutory duty in respect of all deaths other than by natural causes.

[Boac]

An amazing post from someone who used to be 'level-headed' (in 'the other place') suggesting that many of those dead and injured 'deserved it' for being there, and then going on to say 'only 4 of the dead were actually driving on the A27' - I think it might be time for him to hang up his keyboard? One injured would be enough

[Boac]

All very quiet- anyone heard anything lately?

Just found this, so it may be a wait..

West Sussex Senior Coroner Penelope Schofield, sitting at County Hall North in Horsham, adjourned the inquest today to 22 March 2016 for a pre inquest review. This is pending the results of the investigation by Sussex Police and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

[Cacophonix]

One hopes that after the March inquest the CAA will revisit their aerobatics proscriptions for vintage jet aircraft in time for the summer display season. In the interim one can only feel for the pilot and wish him well and the same for his family and families of those killed in the crash.

Caco

[Brian May]

Police because isn't it unlawful killing? Only after the inquest completes will the police 'let go', or not as the case may be.

[stuart]

Just noticed this.

http://news.sky.com/story/1608604/polic ... -air-crash

[Ex-Ascot]

As I said in October AAIB first. What does Mr Plod know about FJ operations. 'I see Sir, so you say it was just a three wheeler'. 'And were you wearing your seat belt at the time of the incident?'

[Boac]

What does Mr Plod know about FJ operations

Very little I suspect, but they do know about the laws relating to murder, manslaughter, operating any machinery in a reckless or dangerous manner and a few other things too.

It has been stated many times, so here it is again:
The AAIB do not take evidence on oath with a view to allocating 'blame'.
People were killed and seriously injured in this accident. This is, surely, a matter for the police. Inquests need 'cause of death' verdicts.

Who do you suggest should undertake the investigation of any act which may have breached some laws? Do you want everyone to say "Hey, it was just a pilot flying a Hunter - 11 folk died and many were injured, but let's just leave it that the aeroplane appears to have been serviceable and was responding normally to inputs." Do you suggest the AAIB should have the power to prosecute if necessary? I think a vast majority of pilots and their representatives would object just a little.

[MoreAviation]

I noted in the press in September that the initial AAIB report had stated that Andy Hill had commenced the abortive loop/quarter clover at 200 feet (300 feet below his minimum manoeuvre clearance of 500 feet). I assume that this information came from radar returns and if true one wonders why, incorrect QNH setting or incorrect pressure altitude calculation, faulty altimeter?

It is good to hear that Mr Hill has recovered to the point where he has talked to the AAIB and the police about this awful accident and hope that he will soon get back to his day job and to doing what he so obviously does well. I must admit that I find it hard to believe that man of his experience and flying abilities would have been negligent or recklessly endangered anybody, least of all his own life and look forward to reading the final AAIB report.