RAF pilot dies in Spitfire crash
Daniel HardakerSat, 25 May 2024, 3:07 pm GMT-4·3-min read
The plane crashed in a Lincolnshire field, according to the Ministry of Defence - Jake Zuckerman/BBC
An RAF pilot has died in “a tragic accident” after a Spitfire crashed into a field near RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, the Ministry of Defence said.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “It is with great sadness that we must confirm the death of an RAF pilot in a tragic accident near RAF Coningsby today.
“The pilot’s family have been informed and we ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.”
The Spitfire of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight was flying near the air station when the crash occured.
An investigation is due to take place.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, in a statement on X, added:
Road closures were put in place around Dogdyke Road and Sandy Bank and motorists were asked to stay away from the area.
A Lincolnshire Police spokesperson said the crash involved a “single-occupant aircraft”.
In a statement, they added: “Emergency services are in attendance following reports of an aircraft crashing in a field just before 1.20pm. It is believed to be a single-occupant aircraft and nobody else is thought to have been involved. Road closures are in place in the areas of Dogdyke Road and Sandy Bank. Motorists are asked to avoid the area and seek alternative routes.”
The East Midlands Ambulance Service sent a “number of resources”, including a paramedic and a helicopter ambulance.
A rescue helicopter landed at the airfield after flying to the scene from Humberside.
An RAF spokesperson said: “We are working with the emergency services and supporting those involved.”
The RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire MK356 (stock picture) - Bav Media
RAF Coningsby is home to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, a collection of wartime fighter and bomber aircraft that take part in air shows and memorial displays.
It is also the training station for Typhoon pilots and is home to two frontline combat-ready squadrons.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) was initially inaugurated on July 11 1957 at RAF Biggin Hill.
It was originally known as the RAF Historic Aircraft Flight and consisted of three PR Mk XIX Spitfires and the RAF’s last airworthy Hurricane, LF363. It was then renamed to be the Battle of Britain Flight before a final renaming in 1969 to what is now known as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
The RAF operates six Supermarine Spitfires as part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, a unit that provides an aerial display group for commemorative events and state occasions.
Around 240 Spitfires are believed to exist worldwide, with around 70 of them in an airworthy condition.
