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Plane crashes onto A27 at Shoreham Air Show

If we go back to safety, my memory tells me that there's been a few serious accidents at UK airshows recently. Would that be correct? The proportion of accidents to events seems high to me.
 
I'm quite surprised by the number of airshows there must be, bearing in mind the only ones I hear about are where accidents happen.

I'm surprised they're still allowed or can get insurance.

RIP those dead.

:thumbs: to the family Stels for being alive, if a bit rattled.
 
Regarding safety - the TV news have mentioned not having them over residential areas. And tbf at Shore... Brighton City Airport there is the airport, a road, then miles and miles and miles of South Downs. It's pretty unlucky that out of all that green and countryside (and Adur river and Lancing College) it hit the pretty small road :emoticon:

edit: actuall, thinking about it - it cold be considered inreesponsible and bad planning to let something loop the loop over the airport as it isn't huge, and if something goes wrong 1. the pilot has no leeway to point themselves in a safe direction as it's a tight vertical space (happened today), and B. if they do point themselves anywhere - it's going to be the ground, the road, houses or the buildings of the airport. Perhaps BCA is too small to have airshows?
 
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Favelado said:
If we go back to safety, my memory tells me that there's been a few serious accidents at UK airshows recently. Would that be correct? The proportion of accidents to events seems high to me.
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There do seem to be crashes at these things every year but I'm sure statistics would tell us you're at more danger of being in a traffic accident (with another vehicle) driving to the event than being caught in an air crash while there. The Daily Mail is saying it's the first "spectators" killed at an air show since 1952 (Farnborough). (?)
 
Indeliblelink said:
There do seem to be crashes at these things every year but I'm sure statistics would tell us you're at more danger of being in a traffic accident (with another vehicle) driving to the event than being caught in an air crash while there. The Daily Mail is saying it's the first "spectators" killed at an air show since 1952. (?)
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Ironically the Hawker Hunter made its public debut at that air show.
 
weltweit said:
Often attendants at a motor race or air show will have bits of paper thrust at them with their tickets saying something like Air Shows are dangerous you accept all risks associated with your attendance. Certainly I can remember the last time I went to Goodwood there was one and I think also at Duxford also. So people attending the show have somehow accepted the risk. Passing motorists however have not. That was my intention with the word innocent, but I accept it was less than ideal.
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At motor sport events it's written on the back of the ticket -"Motor sport is dangerous" along with a disclaimer - in a big warning triangle. This warning is also posted at places around the circuit.

I haven't been to an airshow for years.
 
Indeliblelink said:
There do seem to be crashes at these things every year but I'm sure statistics would tell us you're at more danger of being in a traffic accident (with another vehicle) driving to the event than being caught in an air crash while there. The Daily Mail is saying it's the first "spectators" killed at an air show since 1952 (Farnborough). (?)
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Wasn't there a huge one in Germany in the 80s that killed loads? I remember seeing it on the telly.
 
Indeliblelink said:
There do seem to be crashes at these things every year but I'm sure statistics would tell us you're at more danger of being in a traffic accident (with another vehicle) driving to the event than being caught in an air crash while there. The Daily Mail is saying it's the first "spectators" killed at an air show since 1952 (Farnborough). (?)
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The Ramstein one killed about 60 people on the ground in 1988.

 
I might use this thread if I ever try to build evidence that humidity is bad for online harmony.

Anyway, grim scene, only just heard about it so not sure what else to say yet.
 
I've seen the film a few times on the BBC and here, and am really shocked and saddened. Never mind the emoticons, I doubt anyone could watch it and not be deeply moved by what happened.
 
Poor folks out and about minding their own business, enjoying themselves and bang, truly horrible.
 
This is absolutely horrible.

It's natural to wonder about the details of the planned loop. How low was it meant to be at its lowest point? Was it intended to be partially or fully over the road?

Of course pondering the question doesn't mean we should speculate in the almost complete lack of expertise or knowledge. No doubt there will be a thorough inquiry.

In the mean time we can only be very sorry for the victims and their loved ones.
 
Latest update is Sussex police saying there could still be casualties/fatalities in crash area.

Seven people are now known to have died after a jet crashed on to a busy main road in Sussex on Saturday (August 22) and police fear that more bodies may be found as the scene is cleared.

The Hawker Hunter jet had just started its display at the RAFA Shoreham Airshow around 1.20pm when it failed to pull out of a dive and crashed into the A27 just north of the airport between Brighton and Worthing.

Emergency services declared a major incident and as events unfolded it became clear that a number of people had lost their lives. All the fatalities occurred on the road and it is not believed that anyone who was actually on the airfield at the show was injured. The pilot of the jet was airlifted to the Royal Sussex County Hospital where he remained critically ill on Satruday night.

Superintendent Jane Derrick from Sussex Police said: "We are continuing to search the area to ensure that we have identified all casualties. It is possible that there are still bodies at the scene and it is important that our search is professional and thorough. As I hope you will appreciate this is an intricate and difficult process and I am sure you will understand that the A27 will remain closed until this search and the investigation have concluded. This could be some considerable time and certainly well into Sunday and possibly beyond.

"As a result, and as mark of respect to those who have died, the organisers have quite rightly decided that the show will not take place on Sunday.

"I am aware that a lot of people have been very affected by the incident, not least those who wanted to leave, but were unable to do so immediately, particularly if they were driving. I am sorry if you were held up, but our priority was to deal with the injured and a secondary emergency access had to be put into place.

"I would like to pay tribute to all of the staff of all of the emergency services and other agencies who are dealing with the incident and are hopefully bringing reassurance to those who have been caught up in the incident or who have family or friends involved. We are working closely with them and the organisers to deal with the incident and to understand exactly what happened.

"If you are concerned about anyone who you think may have been in the area, please call Sussex Police on 01273 470101. Additionally, a family and friends reception centre has been set up at Worthing Hospital and support is also available at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

"However if you do contact us about a loved one who subsequently returns safe, please call us again to just to let us know.
"Anyone who has video footage or photos of the incident are asked to email shoreham.airshow2015@sussex.pnn.police.uk to advise us what you have. Please don't send the actual files at this time. We will be back in touch if we would like to see them."

http://www.sussex.police.uk/whats-h...ices-confirm-seven-dead-in-shoreham-air-crash
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Citizen66 said:
Were there fighter jets in the Second World War? Must have been the very first to roll off the production lines if there was.
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Gloster Meteor was the only operational British fighter jet in WW2(praise be unto Frank Whittle for persistence). Hawker Hunter wasn't around until the '50s.
 
bi0boy said:
Should antique jet fighters be doing stunt flying over the public? Probably not. Airshows over the sea are a better idea imo
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Could say the same about prop planes and copters, though. They're just as likely to cause chaos and misery if/when something goes wrong.
 
Favelado said:
If we go back to safety, my memory tells me that there's been a few serious accidents at UK airshows recently. Would that be correct? The proportion of accidents to events seems high to me.
Click to expand...

Every year, in several states around the world, there are serious accidents at airshows. What makes it seem like there are more accidents, is that (from what I can make out) airshows are a bit of a growth industry, and vintage planes are a big crowd-pleaser.
 
I remember that Airbus crashing into trees in France about 15 years ago. That was horrible. I think it was a demo of a new model. The screaming of the engines before the fireball. Horrid.
 
Poor people, poor relatives, poor emergency rescue services who have to prise dead people from their mangled and burnt cars because of a lack of basic common sense.
 
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