Shoreham crash jury shown graphic video of fatal loop
A GRAPHIC video showing a fighter jet crashing on to a dual carriageway and exploding has been shown at the trial of the pilot, as his defence say he “may have been suffering from cognitive impairment”.
Andrew Hill, 54, the pilot in the 2015 crash that killed 11 people, was unable to watch as he sat in the dock.
Those in the public gallery looked on through their fingers as the Fifties Hawker Hunter swooped into a loop, before plunging to the ground, unable to complete its rotation. During the video, a television commentator says: “That is such a beautiful aeroplane.” Seconds later, it is engulfed in a fireball on the carriageway.
Jonathon Whaley, an aviation expert, said it was “a cardinal sin” to try to complete the move, instead of pulling out.
David Evans, a witness and member of the flying display committee at Shoreham Airshow, told the jury: “I thought ‘My God, this doesn’t look very good’,” as he saw Mr Hill attempt the stunt. “In my opinion, the plane was too low to complete the manoeuvre. The moment the nose started going toward the ground and it was clear it was continuing, I was concerned.”
Mr Hill, of Sandon, Herts, is facing 11 charges of manslaughter by gross negligence. His defence say that he “may have been suffering from cognitive impairment” at the time of the disaster.
Karim Khalil QC, his defence barrister, said: “This case may not be about pilot error at all, because Andy Hill may not have been in full control. There is an explanation and that is that the pilot was cognitively impaired.”
He added that Mr Hill had no memory of the crash.
The trial continues.