Airshow related accidents
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hampshire
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One I witnessed was as a 7 year old at an air display at Hooton Park in 1954. I remember there was some sort of simulated ground attack display going on; a small brick building had been built in the middle of the grassed area and a group of Meteors were attacking this. It was impressive at first, then I began to suspect some of the flashes and bangs may have been coming from pre-planted explosives being detonated by someone on the ground. Then, one of the Meteors came in in a steep dive and flew straight into the ground. I remember well the fire and the huge pall of smoke coming up and the next thing was my father taking my hand and saying "Come along son, we are going home now".
Sad.
Sad.
Your memory fading Barry, I thought you were there
Keep well
Ian.
Keep well
Ian.
Two I can recall from Biggin Hill Air Fair days....
1964 May 09 G-ANHO Auster 5. Crashed on take off. Remember the a/c burst into flames. Seem to recall the pilot survived. Reading a report apparently there was one fatality.
1965 May 15 G-AROZ SV-4B Stampe Can't remember if the a/c was taking part in the display. Wreckage fell close to where the Auster had ended up the year previous. Again I think the pilot survived. Just been looking on the 'net, pilot was reported to be no less than Neil Williams !!
1996 Sept 01 G-BLTG WAR Replica Sea Fury. The a/c had attended the PFA Strut fly-in at Crossland Moor airfield near Huddersfield. The a/c crashed on take off. The pilot died of his injuries.
https://assets.publishing.service.go...pdf_500567.pdf
1964 May 09 G-ANHO Auster 5. Crashed on take off. Remember the a/c burst into flames. Seem to recall the pilot survived. Reading a report apparently there was one fatality.
1965 May 15 G-AROZ SV-4B Stampe Can't remember if the a/c was taking part in the display. Wreckage fell close to where the Auster had ended up the year previous. Again I think the pilot survived. Just been looking on the 'net, pilot was reported to be no less than Neil Williams !!
1996 Sept 01 G-BLTG WAR Replica Sea Fury. The a/c had attended the PFA Strut fly-in at Crossland Moor airfield near Huddersfield. The a/c crashed on take off. The pilot died of his injuries.
https://assets.publishing.service.go...pdf_500567.pdf
Last edited by Planemike; 21st May 2019 at 19:30.
Gnome de PPRuNe
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G-AROZ was Neil William's famous crash behind a hangar off a wayward flick roll - he dodged that bullet and the next, the folding-wing Zlin at Hullavington.
Apparently the other "late, great".........John Blake was commentating. G-AROZ's flying career ended at the Biggin Hill Air Show on 15 May 1965 when John Blake, as commentator, was said to have commented "... and Neil Williams has taken it behind the hangar and left it there!"
Last edited by Planemike; 22nd May 2019 at 13:16.
John Blake
Remember the accident well..........but never realised it was "the late, great NW".....!!!
Apparently the other "late, great".........John Blake was commentating. G-AROZ's flying career ended at the Biggin Hill Air Show on 15 May 1965 when John Blake, as commentator, was said to have commented "... and Neil Williams has taken it behind the hangar and left it there!"
Apparently the other "late, great".........John Blake was commentating. G-AROZ's flying career ended at the Biggin Hill Air Show on 15 May 1965 when John Blake, as commentator, was said to have commented "... and Neil Williams has taken it behind the hangar and left it there!"
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SAAB 105G
Farnborough Saab 105
I think this was 1974.
I saw this happen.
The Saab 105 did a "touch and go" over the top and in front of the Viggen that was lined up for take off. The Viggen took off while the 105 did a loop.
On coming out of the loop the pilot forgot to extend the gear and the 105 landed on its belly. It stayed wings level until it stopped and then tipped onto one wingtip.
The aircraft was removed with a crane and Queen Mary and the runway was re opened within 15 mins, while the Viggen did an extended display.
My father was at the show the following day and the Saab 105 was flying again with the announcer telling the crowd what had happened and what a good aircraft it was.
Hope this helps.
I think this was 1974.
I saw this happen.
The Saab 105 did a "touch and go" over the top and in front of the Viggen that was lined up for take off. The Viggen took off while the 105 did a loop.
On coming out of the loop the pilot forgot to extend the gear and the 105 landed on its belly. It stayed wings level until it stopped and then tipped onto one wingtip.
The aircraft was removed with a crane and Queen Mary and the runway was re opened within 15 mins, while the Viggen did an extended display.
My father was at the show the following day and the Saab 105 was flying again with the announcer telling the crowd what had happened and what a good aircraft it was.
Hope this helps.
The SAAB 105G was recovered into the hangar I was working in. The aircraft was broken in two around the middle, all the rivets were sheared and the two halves were held together by the cables and plumbing. I don’t know what aircraft flew the next day, but it certainly wasn’t the accident aircraft which left The hangar on a truck.
