The pilot involved in the tragic Shoreham Airshow accident, where 11 individuals lost their lives, has had his flying licences revoked after an unsuccessful appeal. Andrew Hill, aged 60, contested the decision to have his private and commercial licences revoked during a two-day hearing before a panel of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in London. However, the CAA released a statement confirming the upholding of the revocation, stating it was the appropriate decision.
Following the crash at the Shoreham Airshow in 2015, where Mr. Hill’s aircraft, a Hawker Hunter, crashed onto the A27 road during an aerobatic manoeuvre, resulting in the loss of 11 lives, his licences were suspended. Despite being acquitted of all charges of manslaughter by gross negligence in March 2019, a later determination by the West Sussex senior coroner attributed the incident to “poor” piloting and significant errors, leading to the unlawful killing of the 11 victims.
Giovanna Chirico, who lost her partner in the tragedy, expressed relief at the decision to not reinstate Mr. Hill’s flying licence, noting his lack of remorse and the ongoing struggles of the families affected by the disaster. East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tom Rutland echoed these sentiments, highlighting the lack of suitability for Mr. Hill to return to the cockpit and emphasizing the closure the CAA’s decision brings to the victims’ families and the community.
The CAA reiterated their sympathies for those impacted by the Shoreham Airshow disaster and confirmed the final revocation of Andrew Hill’s flying licences. With the ongoing support for the families of the victims, the decision serves to provide reassurance that Mr. Hill will not fly a plane again in the UK. Inquiries into Mr. Hill’s legal team’s response to the decision are currently underway.