PILOT ON AIRSHOW CHARGES
He could face life sentence OWN-GOAL FOR SCHOOL BREAKS
THE pilot of a jet that crashed on to a busy road during an air show stunt is to be charged with 11 counts of manslaughter, it emerged last night.
Andy Hill, who is 54 today, was at the controls of a Hawker Hunter when it hit the A27 in West Sussex and exploded in a fireball at the Shoreham Air Show three years ago.
Eleven people died in the tragedy and 13 more – including the pilot – were injured.
An air accident investigation report later ruled the jet was too low to perform an aerobatic manoeuvre.
Yesterday the Crown Prosecution Service announced that Mr Hill will be charged with manslaughter by gross negligence of the 11 men who died.
The allegation carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
He will also be charged with endangering an aircraft contrary to the Air Navigation Order 2009.
Mr Hill, from Hertfordshire, will appear in court on a date to be fixed.
Lawyer Simon Ringrose, of the CPS’s Special Crime Division, announced his decision to victims’ relatives at a private meeting in Lewes, East Sussex, last night.
He said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has considered a full file of evidence received from Sussex Police. Andrew Hill attempted to perform a loop manoeuvre and crashed onto the dual carriageway.
“Eleven men who were either in vehicles on the carriageway or standing by the roadside were killed.
“Following a careful review of the evidence I have found there is sufficient evidence to charge Mr Hill with the manslaughter by gross negligence of the 11 men who died.
“I would like to remind all concerned that criminal proceedings have now commenced and the defendant has a right to a fair trial.’’