Battle of Britain Memorial Flight aircraft will not be part of D-Day anniversary after fatal Spitfire crash | UK News

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight aircraft will not take part in next week’s D-Day anniversary events following the death of one of their pilots in a Spitfire crash.

Squadron Leader Mark Long was killed in the accident at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshirejust before 1:20 pm on Saturday.

The cause of the accident is still unknown and the Defense Air Research Bureau (DAIB) investigation is ongoing.

In a statement released on Friday, an RAF spokesperson said: “At this stage, the cause of the incident remains unknown and therefore, following extensive consultations between the Chief of the Air Staff and relevant RAF senior officers, it was decided to continue the break. in flying for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF).

“As always, flight safety remains the RAF’s primary concern. Therefore, BBMF flights will only resume when it is safe and appropriate to do so.

“As a result, unfortunately, it is not expected that BBMF aircraft will be able to participate in the upcoming 80th D-Day celebrations on June 5 and 6, 2024.”

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BBMF flights had already been temporarily grounded in light of the incident at RAF Coningsby.

The BBMF involves wartime fighters and bombers – including Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancasters – taking part in air shows and memorial displays.

Exhibitions are planned throughout the year, with the next one being the Midlands Air Festival, from May 31 to June 2, according to the BBMF schedule on Facebook.

Significantly, six Spitfires and six other BBMF aircraft were to take part in the events marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Portsmouth and elsewhere on 5th and 6th June.

The RAF added that it is “routine” to temporarily ground a fleet of aircraft when such an incident occurs.

‘The best boss we never had’

Long has been a pilot in Coningsby, where BBMF operates, for the past four years.

Squadron Leader Mark Sugden described Long as “the epitome of a military fighter pilot” and “the best boss the BBMF never had”.

Wing Commander Andy Shaw added: “Mark was a humble, kind and generous family man, as well as an excellent fighter pilot, instructor and display pilot. this time.”

Long learned to fly whilst a student at the University of Warwick. He lived in Lincolnshire with his wife and two daughters.

Lincolnshire Police said the pilot was the “sole occupant of the aircraft” and died at the scene.

After the pilot’s death, tributes were paid by the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and labor leader Sir Keir Starmer.