Aviation industry ‘will be relieved at outcome’

THE AVIATION industry will breathe “a big sigh of relief” following the not guilty verdicts in the Shoreham air crash trial, according to a friend of the acquitted pilot Andrew Hill.

Sean Maffett, a 78-year-old independent aviation analyst, broadcaster and air show commentator, said there would be “enormous ramifications” for the industry but he defended the safety record of British air shows.

Asked after the trial whether acrobatic displays should be allowed to be performed at all, he said: “I think you could pose those questions but I think you also have to remember going to air shows is the second most popular outdoor spectator activity in the country.

“It’s second only to football and seven or eight million people go every year. People want to see air shows.

“Now accidents do happen. This was a horrible, ghastly accident but they do happen.

“And of course it is the first time in 63 years that a spectator has been killed at a British air show, which is an extraordinary safety record.

“These questions will need to be answered I’m sure but it is clearly not black and white at the moment.”

The crash saw the greatest loss of life at an air show since 1952, when 31 people, including the pilot, were killed at Farnborough Air Show.

Mr Hill’s acquittal is not the end of the bereaved families’ search for answers as to why the Shoreham tragedy occurred in 2015.

Their focus will now turn to the forthcoming inquest, said Rebecca Smith, of law firm Irwin Mitchell which represents 17 people affected by the crash.

She said: “The inquest will be able to investigate the wider organisation and planning of the event including the safety precautions taken, the aircraft involved, location of spectators and the management of the pilots.”