Hawker Hunter crashed at Shoreham

[Gary]

Our thoughts remain with all of those affected by this tragedy
- CAA review of air shows already commenced
- New restrictions now in place for future air shows
- Temporary measures introduced to give authorities time for thorough review

The thoughts of everyone at the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) remain with all of those affected by the tragic accident at the Shoreham Air Show on Saturday 22 August.

Following the accident we immediately began an urgent review and have, today, announced a series of immediate restrictions and changes to UK civil air displays.

The CAA has announced the following:

• As a precaution, on Saturday 22 August we took steps to ensure no further flights were made by Hawker Hunter aircraft - this temporary restriction remains in place.

• Flying displays over land by vintage jet aircraft will be significantly restricted until further notice. They will be limited to flypasts, which means ‘high energy’ aerobatics will not be permitted.

• The CAA will conduct additional risk assessments on all forthcoming civil air displays to establish if additional measures should be introduced.

• We commenced a full review of civil air display safety yesterday and held an initial meeting this morning.

The safety standards that must be met by all major civil air displays in the UK are among the very highest in the world and are regularly reviewed. All air display arrangements, including the pilots and aircraft, must meet rigorous safety requirements. Individual display pilots are only granted approval following a thorough test of their abilities.

The CAA will continue to offer every assistance to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch as it seeks to establish the cause of the accident. The CAA will also act promptly in response to any emerging indications from the AAIB’s investigation.

Further details will be provided in the coming days and we will continue to work with the industry to ensure the most appropriate action is taken as a result of this review.

Info from CAA

[TankBuster]

BBC just reporting that air displays are to face restrictions regarding aerobatic manoeuvres flown by classic jets. All Hunters have also been grounded...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34044383

Understandable under the current circumstances, and of course this could well remain in place until the authorities fully understand what caused this terrible tragedy. I don't think by any means this will be a permanent thing, but some restrictions need to be put in place until such a time that a full review can take place.

TankBuster

[Trenchard]

There are going to be some howls from the Vulcan fans about the no high energy manoeuvres fly past only ruling.

[StevenR]

There may be 'howls', but at least the CAA have seen some sense and haven't grounded it along with all other vintage aircraft.

[rdchawk]

Our thoughts remain with all of those affected by this tragedy
- CAA review of air shows already commenced
- New restrictions now in place for future air shows
- Temporary measures introduced to give authorities time for thorough review

The thoughts of everyone at the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) remain with all of those affected by the tragic accident at the Shoreham Air Show on Saturday 22 August.

Following the accident we immediately began an urgent review and have, today, announced a series of immediate restrictions and changes to UK civil air displays.

The CAA has announced the following:

• As a precaution, on Saturday 22 August we took steps to ensure no further flights were made by Hawker Hunter aircraft - this temporary restriction remains in place.

• Flying displays over land by vintage jet aircraft will be significantly restricted until further notice. They will be limited to flypasts, which means ‘high energy’ aerobatics will not be permitted.

• The CAA will conduct additional risk assessments on all forthcoming civil air displays to establish if additional measures should be introduced.

• We commenced a full review of civil air display safety yesterday and held an initial meeting this morning.

The safety standards that must be met by all major civil air displays in the UK are among the very highest in the world and are regularly reviewed. All air display arrangements, including the pilots and aircraft, must meet rigorous safety requirements. Individual display pilots are only granted approval following a thorough test of their abilities.

The CAA will continue to offer every assistance to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch as it seeks to establish the cause of the accident. The CAA will also act promptly in response to any emerging indications from the AAIB’s investigation.

Further details will be provided in the coming days and we will continue to work with the industry to ensure the most appropriate action is taken as a result of this review.

Info from CAA

Does that mean no JP Mig 15 or Vulcan for Dunsfold this weekend??

[TankBuster]

There are going to be some howls from the Vulcan fans about the no high energy manoeuvres fly past only ruling.

Yep, I think the classic jet displays will be quite tame for the foreseeable future, but we can understand why the CAA have imposed the restrictions. To be fair they could have temporarily grounded all classic jet types and re-reviewed the operation and displays of them all, taking into account that two classic jets have gone down in the last 3 weeks.

For the time being, flypasts and gentle manoeuvres are better than no flying at all.

TankBuster

[Trenchard]

There may be 'howls', but at least the CAA have seen some sense and haven't grounded it along with all other vintage aircraft.

Indeed, I agree the CAA have made a sensible balanced decision. My remark was more aimed at the social media backlash that will occur, doubtless similar to the 'I bought my RIAT ticket because it was going to be there but you didn't book it' furore.

[iainpeden]

And it doesn't bear thinking about had that "sporty" take off on the Saturday at RIAT gone wrong. I can see that the (very sensible in my view) review will impact on those camp sites and "unofficial" viewing sites off the airfields.

As to the restriction on vintage jets - it is initially a temporary measure and one that I hope will, in time, be relaxed. Any aircraft, however old or however powered, will have a devastating effect if it lands on a crowd at any event.

[DaveChapman]

And it doesn't bear thinking about had that "sporty" take off on the Saturday at RIAT gone wrong. I can see that the (very sensible in my view) review will impact on those camp sites and "unofficial" viewing sites off the airfields.

Also shows at Cosford.5000 residents directly below the display on the live side

[ColintheCaterpillar]

Can anyone please tell me what is defined as a vintage jet? Is it a aircraft type or years since service?

I think that airshows draw people who want the current aircraft, those who want the rare ones and those who love the sight and sound of the old ones. And to see them doing what they do is part of the enjoyment.

I suspect the definition of vintage jet will probably cover just about anything ex-military. With the T2 being a role demo, that probably leaves the Typhoon and Reds as the only jet acts to perform over land.

[page_verify]

I'd suggest a "vintage jet" is what the CAA defines as "ex-military aircraft on the UK Register", with at least one jet engine.

[rtalbott]

How much control does the CAA have over how the Red Arrows and BBMF fly ?

[turmo]

'Vintage' is a specific exclusion under EASA Annex II for aircraft that are delegated to national oversight. There are a bunch of conditions but basically anything for which a type certificate doesn't exist and which is more than 40 years old.

So a 1965 Learjet 23 is OK because it has a certificate on file, but a 1966 Hunter is knobbled. Perhaps we'll see a new-era Bob Hoover throwing Lears and Sabrejets around the skies...

As for the CAA... they're the ones that have forced airshow organisers to adopt increasingly ridiculous display-line displacements, thereby directly putting people outside the boundary at risk. But instead of admitting that perhaps the 350 metre line needs to be re-evaluated, they throw the 'blame' onto the operators of jets and start tut-tutting about needing more regulations to reign-in those crazy hooligans.

Just another Government department dodging responsibility and trying to justify itself.

[edarter]

While its understandable as a short term measure I fear this could very easily slip into being a permanent thing. Its possibly the path of least resistance for the CAA. Lets hope not.

A thought though, I was at Bournemouth and the commentator mentioned about the record number of boats moored off shore to watch the display, 1227 from memory. Yes they were back from the display line but they were close enough that it would not take much of a deviation from the A axis for an aircraft to be in among them in the event of a crash. I'm not sure if other offshore displays are the same but if so then it feels a little like they have made a decision based on public and media reaction rather than safety fears. I guess to some extent that would be inevitable though.
Maybe an alternative would have been to increase the minimum display height for vintage jets? Who knows. I hope its not the end of displays as we know it, you can't argue too much with the exemplary safety record we have had til now. Sad times and condolences to all involved though, may they rest in peace.

[eggchaser]

I can see that the (very sensible in my view) review will impact on those camp sites and "unofficial" viewing sites off the airfields.

The review will not impact upon the campsites (or other places where people gather) so much as the campsites will impact upon the review.

[cj9ru]

With regards boats. I have a small yacht and saw one of my best airshows a few years ago while anchored off the end of the runway at RAF Leuchars. Fantastic view, my own kitchen and toilet. However, I am sure part of airshow review will include the MCA ( Maritime and Coastguard Agency) and they can and do impose exclusion zones for all water craft. For instance in recent times there were exclusion zones around where the Tornado came down off Leuchars and when the pair crashed in the Moray Firth near Lossiemouth. At the moment there are often exclusion zones around oil rigs berthed in Dundee Harbour.
I would think anchoring under aircraft displays will soon be a thing of the past.

Chris

[Arthur Tee]

I think the 'over the sea' suggestion for future shows is a red herring.
Unless we start operating flying boats - the aircraft still have to takeoff and land from an airfield - and unfortunately they still have the ability to crash - let us not forget Flt Lt Egging....

Arthur

[kph100]

And it doesn't bear thinking about had that "sporty" take off on the Saturday at RIAT gone wrong. I can see that the (very sensible in my view) review will impact on those camp sites and "unofficial" viewing sites off the airfields.

Also shows at Cosford.5000 residents directly below the display on the live side

And we all make decisions every day that involve risk. When you locate in a place like that its an active decision, as is driving too fast on a public road. Life involves risk. Mountaineers, diver etc etc all do a hobby they enjoy and accept the riks, as do I at Ryhmes etc.
If the jet had come down a little shorter it would of been in a field and we wouldn't have this major discussion, it was horrendous bad luck, but also very rare.

[bizfreeq]

How exactly is the CAA reaction knee jerk? It is the most sensible course of action they could take under the circumstances. The type is grounded pending the outcome of the investigation and vintage jets are being limited to less strenuous maneuvers for the time being. They would be hung, drawn and quartered if they stood by and did nothing, and this is a well thought out and measured response. In fact it makes much more sense than some of the drivel being posted here and elsewhere. There are going to be consequences, there have to be, but they could have stopped vintage jets from appearing altogether for the rest of the season, or indeed, cancelled the rest of the show season........THAT and only that would have been knee jerk.

[HP88]

How exactly is the CAA reaction knee jerk? It is the most sensible course of action they could take under the circumstances. The type is grounded pending the outcome of the investigation and vintage jets are being limited to less strenuous maneuvers for the time being. They would be hung, drawn and quartered if they stood by and did nothing, and this is a well thought out and measured response. In fact it makes much more sense than some of the drivel being posted here and elsewhere. There are going to be consequences, there have to be, but they could have stopped vintage jets from appearing altogether for the rest of the season, or indeed, cancelled the rest of the show season........THAT and only that would have been knee jerk.

Spot on.