Shoreham Air Show plane crash: Pilot was too low, official report reveals

Air Accidents Investigation Branch publishes interim report into crash that killed 11, showing loop-the-loop began at 200ft when pilot Andy Hill was licensed to perform such manoeuvres at 500ft and above

Eleven people died in the Shoreham Airshow crash on when a vintage Hawker Hunter vintage plane plummeted to the ground on August 22, hitting vehicles travelling on the A27.  

The pilot of a vintage jet which crashed during the Shoreham airshow, killing 11, began his fatal loop-the-loop hundreds of feet lower than his licence allowed, an official report has disclosed.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said Andy Hill, 51, a former British Airways pilot, performed a left turn to 200ft above sea level before beginning an aerobatic manoeuvre.

Top (L-R): Matt Jones, 24, Matthew Grimstone, 23, Jacob Schilt, 23, Daniele Polito, 23, Mark Trussler, 49, James Mallinson, 72. Bottom (L-R): Maurice Abrahams, 76, Mark Reeves, 53, Richard Smith, 26, Dylan Archer, 42, Tony Brightwell, 52.

Mr Hill, who was seriously injured in the crash, was allowed to perform such manoeuvres at a minimum height of 500ft, under an authorisation from the Civil Aviation Authority.

David Learmount, consulting editor of Flight Global, said the AAIB report showed the pilot had been “unwise” and made a “misjudgement”.

The AAIB report said: “The aircraft … commenced a descending left turn to 200 ft above mean sea level approaching the display line at an angle of about 45 degrees.
The burnt-out wreckage of the Hawker Hunter jet that crashed at Shoreham (Eddie Mitchell)  Photo: Eddie Mitchell
“The aircraft then pitched up into a manoeuvre with both a vertical component and roll to the left
“During the descent the aircraft accelerated and the nose was raised but the aircraft did not achieve level flight before it struck the westbound carriageway of the A27.
“The pilot … held a valid display authorisation, issued by the UK CAA, to display the Hawker Hunter to a minimum height of 100ft during flypasts and 500ft during standard category aerobatic manoeuvres.”

Mr Learmount, a leading aviation expert, said: "The pilot entered the manoeuvre at 200ft and it should have been 500ft. It left him no room for misjudgement.
"A lot of other display pilots have made the same mistake.
"He was unwise to commence at such a low altitude and it amounts to a misjudgement.
"If he had left himself 500ft I think everybody would be alive today."

The AAIB report went on to say the jet appeared to be responding normally before the tragedy, one of Britain's worst air show disasters, and the pilot may have attempted to eject at the last moment.
The report said experts had analysed footage from two cockpit cameras which showed the 65-year-old Hawker Hunter "appeared to be responding to the pilot's control inputs".
The initial report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) also found there were "no abnormal indications" during the flight.
Investigators are looking into whether the pilot, Andy Hill, "attempted to initiate ejection", after discovering the aircraft's canopy had been released.
It was unclear whether the canopy had been jettisoned by the pilot or detached in the impact, it added.
Mr Hill asked ground crew to refuel the jet “to full” before taking off from North Weald airfield in Essex, the report said.
A piece of the wreckage of the Hawker Hunter featuring the RAF roundel is recovered  Photo: Warren Allott /Daily Telegraph
"During the initial part of the impact sequence the jettisonable aircraft canopy was released, landing in a tree close to the main aircraft wreckage," said the seven-page report.
"During the latter part of the impact sequence, both the pilot and his seat were thrown clear from the cockpit.
"The pilot sustained serious injuries.

"The investigation continues to determine if the pilot attempted to initiate ejection or if the canopy and pilot’s seat were liberated as a result of impact damage to the cockpit."
The AAIB disclosed there were two "image recording cameras" mounted within the Hawker Hunter's cockpit.
Video taken seconds after the plane crash-landed  Photo: youtube/Dan Tube
One was located between the two seats, giving a partial view of the pilot and instrument panel, as well as a view through the cockpit canopy and windscreen.
The other camera was mounted at the base of the windscreen looking over the nose.
Mr Hill had 40 hours’ experience in the Hunter out of his 14,249 hours of flying experience, it was disclosed.
The document added: "The pilot was described as being in good spirits and looking forward to the flight."

When he left Essex heading for Shoreham the takeoff was “longer than usual” but this was “probably due to the ambient conditions”, the report said.
The Hunter plummeted onto the A27 outside Shoreham on August 22 in one of Britain's worst air show disasters.
The 1959 vintage plane failed to pull out of a loop-the-loop stunt and crashed onto the dual-carriageway, exploding into a fireball and ploughing across the busy road.
Wreckage has been sent to Farnborough, Hants, for analysis.
Plumes of smoke billow into the sky after the Hawker Hunter plane crashes  Photo: Eddie Mitchell
Investigators have also received a "large amount" of video and photographs of the aircraft from various locations around Shoreham.
Many of these are in high definition are will be analysed in a bid to determine the jet's manoeuvres, including flight path and speed.
The aftermath of the massive crash on the A27 in West Sussex (Eddie Mitchell)
Onlookers watch as the smoke rises from where the plane crashed  Photo: Vantagenews.co.uk
The moment the Hawker Hunter exploded in a ball of flames  Photo: Warren Allott
The final victim was named earlier this week as pensioner Graham Mallinson when the inquest was opened and adjourned by West Sussex senior coroner Penelope Schofield.
Mr Hill, 51, a former British Airways captain, survived the crash and was dragged from the burning wreckage.
Video grab showing moments before the Hawker Hunter plane crashed on A27
Moments before the Hawker Hunter jet comes down on the A27 during the Shoreham Airshow in West Sussex  Photo: Chris Watkins
Moment the Hawker Hunter fighter jet crashed on the A27 during the Shoreham Air Show  Photo: Terry Smith
The dead were window cleaner Mark Trussler, 54, from Worthing; and cyclists and friends Dylan Archer, 42, from Brighton, and 26-year-old Richard Smith, from Hove.
NHS manager Tony Brightwell, 53, from Hove; grandfather Mark Reeves, 53, from Seaford; and Worthing United footballers Matthew Grimstone and Jacob Schilt, both 23, also died.
Other victims were personal trainer Matt Jones, 24, wedding chauffeur Maurice Abrahams, 76, retired engineer James Graham Mallinson (known as Graham), 72, of Newick, East Sussex, and 23-year-old Daniele Polito, a father from Worthing.

Mr Hill's family released a statement through police describing how they were "devastated and deeply saddened for the loss of life" of those involved in the tragedy.
David Wildridge, who had flown with the Tiger Nine display earlier on Saturday, said Mr Hill is an experienced pilot and "very well thought of”.
“He is a highly experienced pilot, well-known and well-loved," he said. "He is highly professional and it is totally unusual for this to happen. He was a Harrier pilot in the air force. They are the top RAF pilots – the best of the best.”


Extraordinary footage emerged of the immediate aftermath of the plane crash, filmed on the ground by shocked passers-by.
Dazed witnesses survey the scene on the A27 as smoke billowed into the sky from several vehicles and people appear to try to help victims.
On Sunday, the A27 near Shoreham was partially reopened to traffic for the first time since the air crash. Two lanes have been opened on the east-bound carriageway towards Brighton, along with one lane on the west-bound carriageway.
The other west-bound lane remains closed while investigators continue to work on the verge. Police said a 40mph speed limit has been imposed.

Shoreham Air Show disaster

How the events unfolded

Saturday, August 22

Thousands gather at the Shoreham Airshow to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. At 1.20pm the scene turns to horror as a 1950's Hawker Hunter plane crashes into a busy A27 bypass, hitting at least four cars - including a wedding limousine

Loss of control

The pilot, 51-year-old former RAF officer Andy Hill, carries out a loop manoeuvre high in the air before smashing into the road in a huge fireball after failing to pull up in time

Pilot wrestles with the controls

Moments before the point of impact the pilot appears to be trying to pull up from the A27 as it plummets towards the dual carriageway, where dozens of onlookers can be seen watching the display

Plane strikes the A27

The aicraft ploughs across the busy road just yards from cars and a group of people, its cockpit canopy open and wing ablaze, engulfing traffic lights, roadwork cones and signs in a huge ball of fire. Burning debris is also visible high in the air

Cloud of death

Dazed witnesses survey the scene on the A27 as smoke billows into the sky from several vehicles and people appear to try to help victims.

Trail of destruction

Seven people are confirmed dead with the toll expected to rise and a further two are taken to hospital, one with life threatening injuries. 14 people are treated at the scene