Spitfire Down near RAF Coningsby

RAF Coningsby is the home of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight so I think it safe to assume the Spitfire belongs to them , at 1.20 this afternoon a Spitfire came down in a field near the base , no information about the pilot yet but hopefully he got out and walked away.

Emergency services were called to Coningsby shortly before 13:20 BST on Saturday and remain at the scene.

A Lincolnshire Police spokesperson said the crash involved a "single-occupant aircraft". No details of any casualties have been given.

Road closures are in place around Dogdyke Road and Sandy Bank, with motorists asked to avoid the area.

The aircraft came down in a field off Langrick Road, which runs alongside the perimeter of the RAF station.

An RAF spokesperson said: "We are aware of an incident in the vicinity of RAF Coningsby involving an RAF aircraft.

"We are working with the emergency services and supporting those involved. An update will be provided in due course."
www.bbc.co.uk...

An update has been released.

A Royal Air Force spokesperson said: "It is with great sadness that we must confirm the death of an RAF pilot in a tragic accident near RAF Coningsby today.

"The pilot's family have been informed and we ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time."

Earlier, a Lincolnshire Police spokesperson said a "single occupant aircraft" is believed to have crashed and nobody else is thought to have been involved.

It has been reported the crash involved a Spitfire taking part in a Battle of Britain memorial event.
news.sky.com...

RiP.

a reply to: gortex

Sad news

My condolences to the family and friends of the pilot.

I came home to see this news.
Oh no, no, no! So terribly sad.
Sad rainbows
Jane

a reply to: gortex

May he rest in peace.

--Cav

The pilot has been named as Squadron Leader Mike Long.

Leading the tributes, Gp Capt Robbie Lees, commander of the RAF's Display Air Wing, said: "Mark was a Typhoon pilot here at RAF Coningsby and for the last four years he has been a pilot with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

According to Wally Epton, a retired RAF squadron leader and chairman of the Historic Aircraft Association (HAA), this was the first fatality involving a BBMF aircraft since its creation in July 1957.

Sharing his knowledge of BBMF's fleet, he added: "They are probably the best maintained aircraft in the world. The standard is very high indeed.

"The Spitfire is an exceptionally safe aeroplane."

Link to full BBC article
Rainbows
Jane

a reply to: gortex

Very sad news.