Shoreham Aircrash

[moth_wingthane]

The report is out and it's not looking great for Andy:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-39105085

I suspect we've seen the last of the Shoreham airshow as well.

Comments

[schnee]

Tragic, very tragic.

On the subject of the Shoreham air show ending - if the factors that contributed to this crash are grounds for cancelling the air show for good, aren't they grounds for cancelling any show, anywhere, at any time?

I'm just trying to think of way to make sure that an air show is literally 100%, with no chance whatsoever for any accidents or incidents, and the only way I can come up with is by not holding it in the first place.

[moth_wingthane]

The new rules have seen many airshows cancelled permanently and I'm sure there will be more this year.

[schnee]

Bah. :/ That sucks. As much as I understand wanting to keep people safe, tightening regulations to the point where air shows feel they have to shut down isn't ideal either.

[huskyteer]

Arse. This whole business has been just awful. Closure, at least?

[moth_wingthane]

Probably not for some time to come. This report suggests that the pilot was, in part, at least, to blame for the accident which means possible criminal prosecution for manslaughter and, if not that, then there is the potential for the victims' families to start their own civil cases. This could, possibly, drag on for many more months.

[xolo]

The really terrible thing here, IMHO, is that the people killed weren't even at the airshow. Going to watch an airshow, like going to watch an automobile race, entails accepting a certain amount of risk. You're watching people do dangerous things with esperimental machinery, and it will go wrong now and again. The measures that would be needed to make it perfectly safe for the spectators would also prevent those same spectators from being able to enjoy the show. That being said, there does need to be more attention paid to being sure that the risk is minimized as far as possible for the people outside the grounds.

[moth_wingthane]

Completely agree. I always feel bad for people who get mixed up in aviation incidents who were just bystanders.

[sunfire]

A very sad, tragic situation to say the least.

[porsupah]

I can't really add anything beyond what everyone's already said - it was a hideous accident, and clearly, there are lessons that must be learned in order to reduce the risk of anything similar in the future, given the number of recommendations being adopted.

Of course, nothing can bring any of the victims back, and the pilot has no way to undo the event - he may not remember it, but he'll surely still never forget it.