Workplace Report March 2017

Health & safety - HSE Monitor

Pilot errors led to Shoreham air crash


An Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) investigation into the causes of the Shoreham Airshow crash in August 2015 has found that the aircraft involved was flying too low and too slowly to carry out the manoeuvre being attempted. Although it was possible to abort the manoeuvre safely, the pilot appeared not to recognise that the aircraft was too low to complete it. 


The investigation also found that the organisations involved in the planning, conduct and regulatory oversight of the flying display did not have formal safety management systems in place to identify and manage the hazards and risks. 


Eleven people were killed and 13 injured when the plane crashed onto the A27 Shoreham Bypass while performing at the airshow. 


The show has not been held since the crash.


www.gov.uk/aaib-reports/aircraft-accident-report-aar-1-2017-g-bxfi-22-august-2015