News In Detail

Spitfire Involved in Landing Accident

Duxford - Friday 11 May 2001
At around noon on Friday, Spitfire MkXVI TD248/G-OXVI was involved in a landing accident. It's been reported that the pilot (Karel Bos) walked away unhurt, however there is damage to the aircraft's undercarriage, port wing and propellors. TD248 is now in Historic Flying's hangar at the eastern end of the airfield, out of public view.
Taken from the Duxford Times

Sea Fury Crash

Sywell Airfield- 12 May 2001
Pilot and co founder of Ilmor Engineering Paul Morgan, was killed when the sea fury he was flying (FB Mk 11,G-EEMV/WH588 BABY GORILLA) crashed on landing, flipping the aircraft over onto the cockpit trapping the pilot inside



Fatal Crashes at Biggin Hill

2nd June 2001
A DH Vampire T55 jet (G-DHAV) crashed whilst displaying with a DH Sea Vixen at
Biggin hill today (2nd June 2001).
In an earlier display the DH Venom landed with its undercarriage still up and was later lifted back onto its wheels, the pilot was uninjured.
Later that day, at the end of the show the sea vixen and vampire were turning in formation to do a fly pass down the runway when the vampire appeared to lose control and nose drive into the ground sadly killing both aircrew.
The crew killed in the accident were named as Sir Ken Hayr and Jonathan Kerr.
De Havilland Aviation Ltd operated both the aircraft.

Another fatal crash At Biggen Hill

03rd June 2001
On the second day (Sun 3rd June 2001) of the Biggin Hill International Air Fair. Another fatal crash has been reported. The pilot of a P-63 Kingcobra was performing in the display when it stalled at the top of a loop and spiralled out of control and crashed. The pilot has been named as Guy Bancroft Wilson.
The aircraft was operated by The Fighter Collection at Duxford


Spitfire PL983 fatal crash

04th June 2001
Spitfire PR.XI (PL983) crashed at a French Airshow.
Martin Sargeant, was tragically killed at Rouen Airfield, Normandy, after black smoke was seen pouring from the engine, and as he attempted an emergency landing he realised that he would crash into the crowd so he dived to the right to avoid them and the Spitfire exploded on the ground some 300-500 metres before the runway.