Lessons to learn
Two of the points in this case are:- Have the relatives really been given a true picture of the situation, and do they feel that some sort of closure is possible with the real lessons being learnt.
Have lessons been learnt that actually make sense to those in involved with the aviation world.
The display world is virtually a bubble within the overall CAA system, and this can be a positive factor with participants sharing experiences, maintaining good safe standards, and in the main this is how it worked. In this very sad case these 'standards' failed at several points, and what should have been check points in the entire process were lacking. If you do not recognise 'publically' that there were failings (not just on the day) then is a lesson learnt. With the charge bought the jury gave a sound judgement because they were only being offered a limited choice.
The 'system' was guilty in allowing this dreadful accident to occur when it failed to implement those regulations/checks designed to prevent such a happening, which went back to the DA issue, and continued to the oversight of the actual display. Display regulations are 'focussed' on crowd safety but when machines in use are utilising space outside of the normal circuit then the normal ANO regulations apply to protect the public at large. This of course should have been a factor in the 'suitability' part of display planning, and 'now' has had the effect of reducing the number of airshow venues.
If an inquest has the remit to explore 'all' the factors leading up to the event then at least the relatives will have a better understanding of how it could happen.
Last edited by POBJOY; 3rd Jul 2020 at 13:36.