News by email Donate

Suggestions

Shoreham-memorial-main_article_image.jpg
PA
UK News

Shoreham Airshow disaster: Archdeacon says report won't bring families closure

by Aaron James

Venerable Douglas McKittrick also said the safety recommendations in the report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) will protect people in the future.

His words and the report come after eleven people were killed when a plane attempting a loop-the-loop at the Shoreham Airshow in August 2015 crashed into the A27 road.

The report found pilot Andrew Hill was flying the plane too slow and too low, and that he hadn't been properly trained to execute an escape maneuvre if the trick did not go to plan.

Mr Hill was seriously injured in the crash but survived and is now being investigated by Sussex Police on suspicion of manslaughter.

Steve Parsons/PA Wire

The family of Matthew Grimstone, one of the eleven killed in the disaster, said in a statement: "Apart from anything that the pilot may have got wrong, it is very evident the CAA and the Shoreham Air Show organisers have got much to answer for.

"Rules laid down by the CAA were quite clearly inadequate and those that were there were, in some cases, not fully adhered to by the air show organisers."

The AAIB report has recommended:

Airshow organisers need to do more stringent risk assessments, checking pilots have all necessary training

Pilots need to signal beforehand what tricks they're going to do and where they're going to do them in an airshow

Pilots must have escape training if tricks go wrong

Planes doing tricks must be a significant distance away from the public

Archdeacon McKittrick told Premier: "It won't bring closure, that will never happen, but I hope it will bring some comfort that actually things will be put in place that such an event will never happen in such a way again, if at all.

"My understanding is that the Civil Aviation Authority have accepted all the recommendations made by the report, so safety can be better assured for the future.

"Those who lost loved ones on that day... will forever be in the prayers and the minds of us here in the Diocese of Chichester."

Listen to Premier's Alex Williams speaking to Archdeacon Douglas McKittrick:

News you can believe in. Stand with Premier Christian News today.

Your gift today ensures that Premier Christian News can press forward in strength, reaching more people with biblical truth and shaping the future of Christian thought. It’s more than just a donation—it’s an investment in renewed minds and transformed lives. 

Without continued support, the ability to create and distribute resources that strengthen faith and equip the church will be compromised. But with your help, we can grow deeper, stand firmer, and shine brighter in the culture.

Your support today is critical.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate