'Red arrows crash' History

Red arrows crash

Paul Ogborne (195.137.84.194) -

Hi,

Does anyone remember a red arrows hawk crashing in to the runway arounf 1983/84. I remember the pilot ejected about 3 seconds before the aircaft burst into flames.

Reply #1 Bob MacNaught (82.110.109.210) -

I remember it well - I saw the crash as I was standing on the parallel taxiway just down from GEF. This was the Red Arrows' first display of that year (1984?) having just arrived for their annual training at Akrotiri. The aircraft was one of the synchro pair and it hit the runway after decending from a loop with the other aircraft. The tail broke off on impact and when the pilot ejected, the seat jammed at the top of the main gun. Just moments before (what was left of) the aircraft ploughed into the ground, the pilot's main chute deployed (whilst still in the seat in the aircraft!) and he was yanked out of the aircraft onto the ground (about 30-40 ft). The aircraft broke into many pieces and a fairly large fire ensued. Crew members from 84 Sqn (Wessex Helicopters), who were also watching the display, ran to the pilot's aid and collapsed his chute.

We (GEF) mounted the joystick from out of the aircraft onto a plinth of wood with a brass plaque to 'commemerate' the event and it was presented to the pilot (Flt Lt McDonald I think?) down in the hospital (TPMH) that night.

My friend managed to get some photos with his camera which were used in the subsequent inquiry. I was on the 'FOD Plod' the following morning. The rest of the training displays continued as normal a few days later.

Reply #2 Paul Ogborne (195.137.84.194) -

Glad somebody apart from me remembers this crash. I was with TASF at the time driving a Landover around one of the pans. I was watching the aircraft too and saw it come down. And I remember well the joystick that was mounted, with the words “luckiest man to be alive” on the bottom. I also did the FOD plod. The team videoed the crash, because they video all the runs for training. It made awesome viewing. I wonder what became of the video. I had booked a flight with the arrows for the following day. Needless to say, I never got my flight!!

Reply #3 Alan Rogers (195.93.21.41) -

I was a member of the RAF Fire Service on duty that day and watched the crash before responding to the incident,it happened just as discribed and if any one still has a photo of this i would be greatfull of a copy, the only picture i have seen is a black and white shot after the shute deploys, I dont remember the pilots name but it is still a vivid memory.

Reply #4 tjwingchun (88.107.64.194) -

I was witness to the Brighton Beach Red Arrow crash, I think it was either '78 or '79, I remember watching the plane trailing smoke in a low pass and in an instant it hit the water followed by a huge splash as it disappeared into the sea, for several hours it was just a stunned scene with groups of people gathered around those with Polaroid cameras that had instant pictures of the crash.

I was with a rugby club trip from Royal Holloway College to the ---- beach at the time and we all felt distinctly 'down' as it was thought we had witnessed a fatal incident, it was not until much later that we found out that the pilot had ejected just in time and survived, though he was rushed off to hospital to check his injuries.

The image of a large circle of ---- people surrounding one of the photographers will always stay with me as the view of the lined up buttocks reminded me of a 'Crown Roast' Rack of Lamb lol.

Reply #5 Christian Saona from Lima, Peru (Contact Member) -

Hi, I have lost my records of a Red Arrows crash during a formation takeoff. This could had happened lates 80's or early 90s. If someone recall aprox date or field please let me know.

• Akrotiri, History: Red arrows crash bulletin board

Reply #6 Bob Wehrle (84.9.160.175) -

I was serving with the Red Arrows 2nd line based at Scampton when this happened, while not at the scene of the crash i was with the pilot when he got his tie from martin baker, what was interesting the way they said that although he did not ativate the ejection they thought that the seat had a vitale part in saving his life! The pilot was Flt.Lt Chris Hirst, he did not complete his tour & was replaced with another pilot whose name escapes me.

Reply #7 Pete Wood (78.145.182.14) -

I too was working at TASF, I'd just picked my new Mazda and was driving from H dispersal towards TASF when the (grounded) arrow passed, at that time the pilot was still attached to the aircraft on the top of the extended ejection seat pole.

He had apparently started to pull the pan handle and changed his mind shortly after impact; had the seat have fired he would probably have been badly injured because the rocket pack was damaged.

If the seat had not extended he would have suffered burns in the aircraft fire.

His chute deployed at almost the same time as the fire started; talk about lucky!

I'm not certain the following part is true but I heaqrd through the grape vine that following his return to the UK the "lucky pilot" tripped on a kerb stone and broke his leg.

If it is true it's a nice way of evening up the luck / bad luck ratio.

Reply #8 Paul Owen (82.110.109.212) -

I was a SAC on TASF at the time and was watching from the line office, I seem to remember picking bits of the ac off the runway as qeens flight came in only days later with royalty.

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