Shoreham Airshow: Air Accident Investigation Branch

The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) has confirmed that it has begun a formal investigation into the incident at Shoreham Airshow on Saturday August 22.
Shoreham Airshow SUS-150823-095443008Shoreham Airshow SUS-150823-095443008
Shoreham Airshow SUS-150823-095443008

A brief statement from the AAIB said: “The AAIB has deployed a team to investigate the accident to a Hawker Hunter near Shoreham, West Sussex.”

The investigation is likely to take a long time - the previous fatal accident at Shoreham Airshow in 2007 took two years to investigate - but the final report will be made available to the public.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A second statement, released by the AAIB and Highways England this morning (Sunday August 23), reminded drivers that a section of the A27 remains closed.

“The incident happened about 1.20pm on Saturday (22 August) and the road is currently closed in both directions between the A2025, near Lancing and A293, near Shoreham-by-Sea.

“The emergency services, the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and Highways England are continuing to work together to deal with the incident.

“The road is likely to remain closed for at least the rest of the weekend while a police and AAIB investigation is carried out. Following this Highways England will need to carry out repairs to the damaged road. Motorists will be advised when the A27 is fully re-opened, once it is safe to do so.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Drivers are advised to avoid the area if possible. Where they cannot, those travelling westbound are advised to exit the A27 and join the A293 south, follow A270 west, A283 south, A259 west and the A24 north.

“Those travelling eastbound should exit the A27 before the closure at the A24 junction, join the A24 north towards Washington, join the A283 south and re-join the A27 following the hollow black diamond symbol.

“This diversion route is in place due to the exclusion zone around the incident and drivers following it are advised to allow plenty of extra time for their journeys.”

Members of the public can contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The AAIB marks its 100th anniversary this year - Captain George Cockburn was appointed the UK’s first ‘Inspector of Accidents’ in 1915.

His role was to investigate the causes of Royal Flying Corps aircraft accidents.

The creation of the new profession of air accident investigator led to the formation of the Accidents Investigation Branch, as it was then known.

Today the AAIB is part of the Department for Transport and investigates all civilian air accidents which caused death, serious injury, damage to or loss of an aircraft, or incidents which could have led to such an accident.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.