Spitfire crash Coningsby

[panta615]

Pilot named as Sqn Ldr Mark Long.

BBC confirmed: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-l ... e-69062769

RIP, Sir 🫡

[binbrook87]

Such a tragedy. Thoughts are with his family and all the crews at Coningsby at this sad time. He brought us so much pleasure and we should never forget the risks these people take on a daily basis. We probably take them for granted at times. RIP

[Blackcat1]

Ex Typhoon display pilot.

RIP Mark . Taken far too soon

[Boneyard1]

Rest in peace Mr Blue Sky! Condolences to his family and friends and to all at the BBMF! So very sad!

[Disaster Area]

A very very sad day. I had the pleasure of meeting Sqn Ldr Mark Long last year. My thoughts are with his family, friends and the wider RAF family.

[plmc135]

BBC have indicated that the BBMF has been temporarily grounded as a result of this tragic accident

[cat1]

BBC have indicated that the BBMF has been temporarily grounded as a result of this tragic accident

Any idea how long they could be grounded?

[Steven]

I'm afraid "How long is a piece of string" is the answer cat1. Depends on what the cause was (which we will not be privy to for a long time) and whether it is deemed something that could affect the other aircraft in the fleet or not.

[cat1]

Hi Steven

Ok thanks for that.

In the end, aircraft are replaceable and people are not.

Mark Long, cleared for takeoff.

RIP

[Steven]

Post from the Royal Air Force on X/Twitter:

https://x.com/royalairforce/status/1796 ... xfoz1p_hzA

On 25th May 2024 a Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) crashed in the vicinity of RAF
Coningsby, resulting in the tragic death of the pilot, Squadron Leader Mark Long.

The Defence Air Investigation Branch (DAIB) are continuing their investigation.

At this stage, the cause of the incident remains unknown and therefore, after extensive consultation between the Chief of the Air Staff and relevant senior RAF officers, it has been decided to continue the pause in flying for the BBMF.

As always, flight safety remains the RAF's primary concern, therefore, BBMF flying will only resume when it is safe and appropriate to do so. As a result, regretfully, BBMF aircraft are not expected to be able to participate in the forthcoming D-Day 80 Commemorations over 5th-6th June 2024.

[karlslawrence]

Following on from the above post: (RAF Coningsby Facebook)

Following the tragic events on Saturday, an investigation is underway.

The Defence Accident Investigation Branch (DAIB) have requested that anyone who has images or video of the aircraft taken on Saturday to make them available please.

Content can be sent to:

CON-GMBMediaCommsGrp@mod.gov.uk

Please include a telephone number you can be contacted on.

Thank you for your co-operation.

[raptor9]

In a sad coincidence, I have discovered that several of our friends know Mark Long's mother [local village connection] near to me. I have asked that the condolences of ALL Aviation Enthusiasts, FC and elsewhere be conveyed to her. A close friend plays Badminton with her.

[reaper493]

Coningsby Facebook has put this request out -

The Defence Accident Investigation Branch (DAIB) are conducting the ongoing investigation into the tragic Spitfire accident on 25 May 2024.

The DAIB is requesting footage and/or imagery of Spitfire MK356 after it commenced flying in April 2024 following its winter maintenance period.

If you are able to help, please email us on:

con-spitfiremk356@mod.gov.uk

Please tell us:

· Your contact details.
· What content you have, for example video and/or stills.
· If video, whether audio was also captured.
· What file format it is in.
· How large is the file size.
· How you would be able to transfer, for example email, Dropbox, Google Drive, WeTransfer etc
· Date and time when the content was captured, if possible.
· Where the content was captured and what the aircraft was doing, for example, ‘At RAF Coningsby, taken from near BBMF as the aircraft was carrying out a display.’
· Any other detail that you may think is useful.

Every email will be looked at, but please do not be offended if we do not contact you, you will appreciate that we may well be offered multiple video / stills of the same events.

We are extremely grateful to anyone who takes the time to contact us, thank you for your assistance.