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Thursday, 2nd September 2010

TRAGEDY HITS SHOREHAM AIR SHOW

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Published Date: 15 September 2007
A HURRICANE aeroplane crashed into the Downs during what should have been the highlight of this year's Shoreham Air Show.
Pilot Brian Brown was killed in the accident, which happened at around 3.20pm on Saturday, September 15.

Eyewitness Dan Thompson said:"There was a moment of disbelief when people didn't realise what had happened. Then there was absolute silence."

The plane had been taking part in a simulated World War Two airfield attack with several other aircraft attack.

The view of the crash from the airport was shielded by the Downs, although a huge plume of smoke was visible for miles around (pictured).

Mr Thompson said the plane had been flying level, adding there had been no reports from other eyewitnesses to say the plane looked damaged before it crashed.

The mock attack was abandoned as soon as it became apparent what had happened.

Pilots of the Spitfire planes flew in a missing pilot formation, as they would have done during the Battle of Britain.

No one else was thought to have been hurt in the accident, which happened away from Shoreham Airport on land near Lancing College.

Air show commentator and display director Peter Eager announced the show would continue as close to the programme as possible, adding it would have been what the pilot concerned would have wanted, and the show went ahead on Sunday.

Sussex Police issued the following statement: "At 3.20pm on Saturday, September 15, a single crewed Hurricane aircraft, taking part in an aerial display at the Shoreham Airshow, crashed into a field killing the pilot.

"Emergency Services put into place contingency plans for the airshow and are on the scene.

"No other planes were involved, there were no other casualties on the ground.

"The next of kin of the pilot has been informed.

"The Air Accident Investigation Board has been contacted and will be carrying out a full investigation.

"Sussex Police are asking anybody with any video footage of the incident to please hand a copy into their nearest police station.

"Display pilots and the organisers of the airshow in conjunction with the Flying Display committee have expressed the desire that the airshow continues and have confirmed that the airshow will run on Sunday."

READERS' TRIBUTES

On behalf of Liz and myself, may I offer sincere condolences to the family of the pilot who died entertaining me and the crowds on Saturday.

It was a fantastic display the the lads were performing and we found it hard to keep track of all the planes in the sky at once and wondered how, in battle, the planes never ran into one another with so much action going on.

I watched intently the said Hurricane do his manouvre and thought he hadn't started his turn high enough right from the start.

There just was not enough height for him to pull out of that dive I feel.

I was willing him so hard to pull it round and thought, "Ah! he's fooled me!"

There is a dip behind those hills and he will appear in a second but it wasnt to be.

A very sad day and I will remember it forever.

Gary Summers
Ragged Appleshaw
Andover

Have your say

Leave your tributes to pilot Brian Brown and share your experiences by commenting in the box below, or email shorehamherald@btopenworld.com

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  • Last Updated: 17 September 2007 2:35 PM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Shoreham
 
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MONIKA,

15/09/2007 23:03:15
HI! I'M A POLISH AND I WAS THERE. IT'S A SCANDAL!!! THE SHOW SHOULD BE DISMISSED!!! WHO WILL HAVE FUN AFTER TRAGEDY LIKE THIS???!!! I'M IN SHOCK. SOME PEOPLE SMILED! THE MAN GOT LOST! FOR US! FOR SHOW! HUMAN CALLOUSNESS!!! CLOSE THE SHOW!!! GOD BLESS A PILOT AND HI'S FAMILY!!!
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David Truman,

Stockport 15/09/2007 23:42:20
Monika, Please dont be so harsh in your judgement. The pilots and indeed the engineers who give huge amounts of time to these old aircraft are a very tight knit bunch. The fly together eat together train and rehearse together. When one goes down like this they react by putting on a disply their friend would have been proud of. It is there way. Dont judge it, dont try to understand it. Please just accept it it is their way
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nimrod,

Worthing 16/09/2007 14:41:53
What a tradgedy it was that the pilot of the Hurricane died during a fantastic show at Shoreham. The organizers were quite right to continue with the programme as it is after all a great charity event as well as a family day out. Those who may try to use this sad incident to curtail this excellent annual airshow would be insulting this poor pilots skills. Accidents do happen as at the Goodwood Festival of Speed a few years ago, but charities such as RAFA need our support to help their cause. Long may the Shoreham Show continue.
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Andrew Hubert,

Monmouth 17/09/2007 01:32:43
I used to fly a lot from Shoreham years ago and indeed nearly stalled a Cessna 150 just over that same spot in September 1968. My late father flew Hurricane Mk1 at his OTU before flying operationally on Spitfires with 317 (Polish) Squadron. I had his pilot's notes for the Hurricane. The problem is of course that WW2 aircraft aren't always benign near the stall and the Hurricane pilots notes (1942) state that no stall nor spins should be attempted below 12,000' and that flick manoeuvres were not permitted. Depending upon how the aircraft was rigged either wing could drop below the vertical before stall recovery could be effected. Unfortunately a 'dogfight' at low level when for reasons of display, the manoeuvres have to be kept within sight of the spectators, not forgetting the need to conserve engine life by keeping boost low, means that one is tending to run out of energy. Dogfights of course tended to happen at high altitudes with maximimum boost, without any concern as to how much airspace got used up. Sadly I suspect that the combination of high wing loading at low airspeed may well have resulted in an accelerated stall with tragic consequences. We must also remember that operational pilots of the time (if they survived,) would be flying flat out for at least five days a week racking up the hours. They were young and burned out quickly. Display pilots are usually middle aged, have to ration their hours based upon the cost of maintaining historic aircraft and of necessity cannot have that same currency and edge of an operational pilot in the 1940s. It is very sad, may he rest in peace along with so many of an earlier generation who met their end over the Sussex countryside.
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Sean L,

Littlehampton 17/09/2007 09:16:03
Just reading Andrew's comments above. I was actually on the hillside with my family, and was watching the Hurricane as it came down... less than 100 feet from as. We are all badly shaken. The incredible thing that we must all count our blessings for, is that if the aircraft had come down 100 feet further south, it would have landed on dozens of families such as ourselves. Everybody on the hillside next to the crash scene, were all in a state of shock and disbelief, and a lot of the children, including mine were affected by the accident. I was watching the aircraft as it banked around, and remember saying 'my god, what is he doing'. It was obvious that he was never going to make the manouvre, and in my opinion just misjudged his actual altitude. There appeared to be no loss of engine power, and if anything, he was accelerating to pull out of the dive. Sparing the details, he would not have suffered, it all happened very quickly. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family of the poor pilot.
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Paul Sm,

Southampton 17/09/2007 12:43:29
I feel the Polish person who has come to this country does not understand how we enjoy watching and appreciate the skill the pilots show at these events like at Shoreham and why we were there over the weekend to support the RAFA and the pilots who gave their lives in the Battle of Britain to free his country from occupation!!!!!!
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Jason Avent,

Hove 18/09/2007 10:20:07
I saw this from Mill Hill. Brian was chasing another plane and seemed unable to follow the same path. The plane in front climbed, rolled and went slightly to the right. Brian's plane hesitated for a fraction of a second in the climb - I thought it would follow the roll but then it peeled off left and arced first up slightly and then pointed downwards and in the opposite direction to the other aircraft. Brian's plane disappeared behind the hill and the trees. The angle was very steep. A couple of seconds later a big ploom of black smoke came up. From what I saw, I agree with Sean - from the dive angle and the speed, it would have been pretty instant. It is very sad and I offer my condolences.
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Nick Blackcat,

Haslemere 18/09/2007 15:30:02
I was at the airshow on Saturday but (like many others) did not see the Hurricane go into the field.It was only when the pluume of smoke went up that we all realised.I felt sick and initially just wanted the show to be terminated but now realise that it was right to continue.Felt very sorry for the WW2 veterans who were present since that that they had seen it all before especially an old lady (with her son) who had been a Fighter Command plotter during the Battle of Britain.She was very upset but kept a stiff upper lip.Also thought that the commentator Peter Eager (?) did a fantastic job in the circumstances.If you have to die before your time then going down in a Hurricane into a Sussex field on Battle of Britain day is a good way to go.
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Gabor Nagy,

Hungary 19/09/2007 07:22:36
Dear Everybody! I am from Hungary. I have been dealing with WW2 RAF pilots' life and service carreer for almost 15 years. I am a RAF crazy, and my most favourite plane is the Hurricane. First of all I must say this is a very-very sad event. May rest in peace Brian. I have visited some airshow in Duxford, they were splendid days. But in my opinion authorities should forbid those sharp manouvers and aerobatic display with these very rare, worth, and beautiful warplanes. I would like to see them in flying condition and in the air for many-many years. For me, it would be enough some level flying ahead and front of me. Just want to see the plane and to hear its' engine. There is no need loops, dives, spins or any steep manouvers. There is less and less warplanes in flying conditions year by year, by reason of these crazy manouvers just for entertaining of the visitors. "We" do not have already any Mosquito, "we" have lost the Kingcobra, a Firefly and many Spitfires. It is madness! How long will wait the authorities? Until all of WWII airworthy planes will crash and destroy? Please stop this kind of crazy shows! PLEASE!
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sue baker,

middlesbrough 19/09/2007 15:22:38
I would like to offer my sincere condolences to friends and family of Brian Brown. My boyfriend and I went to Breighton Airfield on numerous occasions just to watch Brian and Taff flying their planes. Never a dull moment i can tell you! I only found out yesterday that it was Brian and was so shocked. Dont know what to say, he'll be sorely missed by everyone. God Bless Brian.
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