I started this thread to discuss the AAIB Report, not to second guess it or come to any conclusion about blame.
My recollection of reports at the time is that the traffic lights were holding the cars that were hit.
From page 117 of the report. Section 1.18.7.2
The organisers of the 2015 Shoreham Airshow had identified that the junction of the A27 was a popular location from which to view the display. The AAIB was informed that in previous years several hundred people had been observed at the road junction between the A27, Shoreham Bypass, and the Old Shoreham Road, and in the grounds of a nearby, now closed, public house. The display organisers and the local emergency services had been concerned about the road traffic risk to these crowds and the display organisers had taken steps to minimise the number of people in this area.
The ground operations risk assessment identified the hazard as, ‘Fast moving trunk road. 70 mph dual carriageway Traffic lights and queuing traffic.’ and
proposed the action as ‘Traffic management plan in place. No right turns. Traffic Lights off and 40 mph limit in place.’
Traffic Lights off
The ground operations risk assessment.... proposed the action ...Traffic Lights off. And yet......
The manoeuvre was continued and the aircraft struck the ground on the northern side of the westbound carriageway of the A27 close to the central reservation with a ground track at a slight angle to the direction of the road. When it struck the ground it broke into four main sections. Fuel and fuel vapour released from the fuel tanks ignited. In its path were vehicles that were stationary at, or in the vicinity of, the traffic lights at the junction
with the Old Shoreham Road, and pedestrians standing by the junction.
In its path were vehicles that were stationary at, or in the vicinity of, the traffic lights
Leaving aside why the Hunter came down there, why were the traffic lights at red when that was already identified as a threat?
This is not hindsight, people had discussed this before the show.