Kentish Express Ashford & District
Spitfire crashlands in field
Wartime fighter suffered from engine failure
A Spitfire was left in two pieces after its pilot was forced to make an emergency landing.
The plane came down in a field off Plurenden Road, close to Woodchurch, on Monday at around 10am.
The pilot, Rob Davies, 68, a former RAF mechanic, was flying near his own landing strip when the Spitfire suffered engine failure shortly after take-off.
He escaped unhurt from the crash-landing.
However, the historic aircraft’s left wing was torn off, and all four propeller blades were damaged.
Police, paramedics, fire crews and the air ambulance were all called to the field, and Mr Davies was assessed at the scene.
Firefighters also dealt with a leak of a large quantity of aviation fuel.
Speaking after the crash-landing, Mr Davies, MBE, who has his own collection of historic aircraft and is a well-known face at flying displays, said: “I’m fine, it was a very simple engine failure. I walked away unscathed.”
It is thought the Germanybased two-seater Spitfire was being tested ahead of an appearance at the Goodwood Revival festival over the weekend, which showcases vintage and classic cars, motorcycles and aircraft.
Witness Liz King, who lives close by, has described the moments leading up to the emergency landing.
She said: “We didn’t see it land but we heard it.
“We first heard it flying overhead.
“It then stuttered and cut out. We then heard a whoosh sound.
“It looks like the pilot landed it pretty well.”
A police spokesman said:
‘I’m fine, it was a very simple engine failure, I walked away unscathed’
“Police were called to a field in Woodchurch at 9.50am, following a report that a small plane had crashed.
“It is reported that the pilot of the aircraft, believed to be a Spitfire, was uninjured in the incident.
“Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), the Environment Agency and the Civil Aviation Authority were all alerted to the incident.
“KFRS dealt with fuel leakage from the plane and SECAMB checked the pilot for injury.”