Did History Actually Teach Us Anything? – Episode 5: Shoreham Air Show Crash 2015 Laura: Welcome to "Did History Actually Teach Us Anything?" The podcast where we unravel the most well-known tales of calamity, mishap, and unforeseen consequences that have shaped the course of history. And consider whether we've actually learned anything from them all these years later... In this podcast, we examine the historical events that you may think you know about already and the causes that led to them, be they icebergs or bakers ovens. We will consider whether these tragedies could have been avoided, and some of the surprising things we do differently now as a result. But this podcast, isn't just about dates and events. It's about learning from the past, drawing insights from hindsight, and gaining a deeper appreciation for the complexities of what really happened in these events we think we know so well. So get ready to encounter remarkable individuals, pivotal moments and fascinating insights that will make you appreciate health and safety and environmental management as far more than just red tape. On the 22nd of August, 2015, at the Shoreham Air Show in England, a former military aircraft crashed onto a main road during an aerial display, leading to the tragic deaths of 11 individuals and injuring 16 others. In this episode, we're going to explore how and why the aircraft struck the A27 road while attempting a loop manoeuvre, what impacts it had on the spectators and pilot, and why it was ultimately concluded that the victims were unlawfully killed due to a series of gross errors. Joining us is our health and safety expert, Brian, who's going to begin by telling us a bit about the history of the Shoreham Airshow. Brian: The Shoreham Airshow, held annually in Shoreham by the Sea, England, is a popular aviation event that showcases military and civilian aircraft performing amazing aerial displays. Established in 1961, the Air Show has a rich history attracting aviation enthusiasts and families alike from all over the world. It features a variety of performances, including vintage aircraft, modern jets, and aerobatic teams, making it a memorable experience for all those who attend. Tragically, in 2015, the, airshow was marred by a tragic crash of a Hawker Hunter T7, piloted by Andy Hill, that crashed into a busy highway, killing 11 people. As a result of the incident, the airshow was suspended for a period to accommodate an extensive investigation and reassess safety measures and controls to minimize risk. The event later resumed in 2016, but with enhanced safety protocols and regulations to ensure the well being of both participants and spectators. Laura: So Brian, what actually happened on the day of the crash? Brian: The Shoreham disaster occurred on August 22nd, 2015. During a routine maneuver, the aircraft failed to complete a complete loop and crashed onto the A27 road, which then resulted in 11 fatalities. The disaster raised some very serious concerns about airshow safety, and led to some extra scrutiny and an investigation. The investigation revealed that the pilot had executed the loop maneuver and not being able to complete it due to low altitude, caused the jet to lose control and crash. The incident highlighted the necessity to improve safety measures at the air show and to prevent such tragedies in future. Laura: Can you tell us about this particular aircraft? What makes it so special? Brian: The Hawker Hunter T7 jet is a remarkable aircraft with a rich history. This two seat variant of the British jet fighter was originally designed by the Hawker Aircraft Company in the 50s. This particular model was developed with two seat side by side, allowing the pilot being trained to have an instructor sit next to them. The plane is also known for its robust design and reliability. And it served extensively in the Royal Air Force and other air forces around the world, in roles such as advanced pilot training, weapon training, and aerobatic display. What makes the T7 unique in its class is its side by side seating, which encourages the interactive training between the training pilot and the trainer. It boasts an impressive speed capability of over 600 miles per hour, along with exceptional manoeuvrability which allows the pilot to effectively execute various flying techniques. The combination of these features makes the T7 an excellent choice for aerobatic displays that are quite stunning. Laura: What stunt was being performed? Was it a difficult one? Brian: During the demonstration of this particular stunt, the pilot was performing what is known as the loop-the- loop maneuver, or commonly known as the loop. It's a classic aerobatic maneuver where the aircraft performs a vertical 360 degree circle in the sky. During the maneuver, the pilot pulls back the stick of the control and pitches the aircraft's nose upward causing it to ascend and then continue in a circular path until it returns to level flight. Performing this stunt does present some common hazards, such as g-force exposed on the pilot, that could potentially cause unconsciousness temporarily; loss of control because of being unconscious, or not using proper technique and going into a stall or a spin; mechanical failures due to stress on the airframe if it's taken outside of its envelope of operations or if it's not maintained properly. Environmental conditions such as weather, air turbulence, wind shear, or poor visibility can affect the procedure as well. Pilot error: if you have an inexperienced pilot who has not done this very much, and doesn't have the proper training, and know how to recover if there's a problem. Another thing to consider during the loop is the pilot needs to be aware of the surroundings of any other aircraft in the area, obstacles on the ground. In particular, during a low altitude maneuver. Some key points of the loop, the loop maneuver include, initial maneuver is to pull the nose up. But before you do that, you need to be in a level flight and acquire enough speed. So you want high speed to be able to complete the climb and come back down. The pilot climbs the aircraft and then at the top of the circle, the plane is inverted upside down and then comes the descent in a circular path back towards the original level altitude of flight. The aircraft continues in the circular path descending back to its original altitude and flying at the same level as it was originally. The maneuver is completed when the aircraft returns to that level of flight. This stunt requires precise control and sufficient speed to avoid stalling at any time during the performance of this loop. When done properly, it demonstrates the aircraft's performance capability as well as the pilot's skill. Laura: Why did the stunt go so wrong? Brian: According to some experts, it was determined that when the aircraft attempted the loop manoeuvre, it was initiated at too low an altitude and did not provide enough margin of error when coming out at the bottom of the loop. As a result, when the aircraft reached the top of the loop, it lacked sufficient altitude to complete the downward arc safely and return to its original altitude. Experts claim that when performing this maneuver, the pilot needs to account for the likelihood of having to recover original flight altitude they had at initiation of the maneuver. As a result, when Hill's T7 came out at the bottom of the loop, it was too low and could not recover before hitting the ground. Laura: What were the immediate consequences of the crash? Brian: The aircraft crashing onto the A27 dual carriageway led to 11 fatalities, multiple injuries, and extensive damage. In sequential order, here are the immediate causes and responses to that incident. Number one, the aircraft crashed onto the A27 highway, striking vehicles, resulting in multiple fatalities. Then the emergency response services including ambulance, fire crews and police arrived quickly at the scene to assist victims and manage the situation. The scene was secured, authorities cordoned off the area and ensured the safety of first responders to prevent further traffic incidents while also working to contain any potential hazards from the crash. Immediately, the investigation was launched, and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, AAIB, initiated an investigation into the crash, gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. The injured were treated at the scene while the fatalities were handled according to protocols of serious incidents. Public information was made available by authorities, providing updates to the public and the media as the information was made available. Emergency services responded promptly. Fire brigades, ambulances, and the police were quickly dispatched to the scene to manage the immediate aftermath. Firefighters worked to extinguish the significant fire caused by the crash and manage the wreckage. Medical teams provided urgent care to the injured and assessed the extent of the casualties. Police coordinated the closure of the A27 t o secure the area, and facilitated the emergency response efforts. Their swift actions were critical and crucial in managing the situation, providing medical aid and ensuring public safety. Laura: So could the immediate response have been any different? Brian: As quickly as the ERP was, they could have been faster, had they not been hampered by a number of factors that included: the location of the crash on a busy highway, which complicated access for the ERP vehicles and traffic and evacuation efforts. This provided a challenge for scene management, for the law enforcement to secure the area and facilitate safe access for the first aid responders. Communication and coordination among the various emergency services, such as ambulance, fire services, and police, provided a challenge under the highest stress conditions, especially with mass casualties. Lastly, hazardous conditions from the wreckage, including fuel leaks and debris, required careful assessment before emergency personnel could be deployed in those particular areas, which led to further delays for immediate assistance. Laura: Was there an investigation into the event? And if so, what did it conclude? Brian: The subsequent investigations into the Shoreham Airshow crash was conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority, CAA and the Air Accidents Investigation branch the AAIB. The CAA is the UK's aviation regulator responsible for ensuring the safety and security of civil aviation, while the AAIB is tasked with investigating civil aircraft accidents and incidents to determine their causes and recommend safety improvements. Both organizations work together to analyze the circumstances surrounding the crash, identifying any gaps in safety protocols, and to provide recommendations to prevent similar incidents in future airshows. The investigation by the CAA and AAIB revealed critical lapses in safety protocols and risk management. Key findings included: pilot error. The pilot attempted a loop the loop maneuver at an altitude that was too low to complete the maneuver safely, leading to the aircraft's rapid descent and crash. Inadequate risk assessment: there were insufficient risk assessments conducted by the air show organizers and regulatory authorities, particularly concerning the safety of complex aerobatic maneuvers. Lack of escape plan: the pilot did not have a viable escape plan in case the maneuver could not be completed, which is crucial for safety in aerobatic displays. Proximity to public areas: the air shows proximity to the A27 dual carriageway, a major road, contributed to the fatalities and injuries among motorists highlighting the need for better buffer zones and public safety measures. Maintenance practices, although not the primary cause, the maintenance and airworthiness of the vintage aircraft, were scrutinized emphasizing the need for stringent maintenance standards for older aircraft used in such displays. Laura: Was the pilot to blame and could he have done anything differently? Brian: The hunter aircraft began its display with a low flyover of the runway from the south to the north and turned for a second pass in an opposite direction. As it approached the airport, the pilot initiated an inside loop from a height of just 200 feet, which experts noted allow very little room for error. Ideally, the loop should have started at 500 feet and at least 350 knots, reaching a peak of 4,000 feet and 150 knots at the top. Instead, the aircraft only reached 2,700 feet and 105 knots from an initial speed of 310 knots. While it's difficult to predict the certainty on how different pilots would have handled the loop-the-loop maneuver at the same altitude and speed, a more experienced or differently trained pilot might have made different decisions regarding the execution of the maneuver. Overall, while different circumstances could have led to different outcomes, safety in aviation heavily relies on pilot's judgment, experience, and adherence to established safety protocols. But all indicators are that it could have been avoided had the pilot recognized that the plane was flying too low and too slow to safely complete the maneuver. Laura: So could the crash have actually been avoided then? Brian: The Shoreham Airshow crash could have potentially been avoided through several key preventative measures. Adequate altitude buffer for the pilot who was flying the plane in this maneuver. Enhanced training for the pilots, emphasizing safety protocols and decision making stresses, especially when working or flying in proximity to the public. Comprehensive risk assessments, conducted by air show organizers and regulatory authorities would have identified the dangers associated with this complex measure in proximity to high density population. Having a clear and viable escape plan, in case the maneuver could not be completed safely, would have provided the pilot with a pre-defined action to abort the maneuver and avoid the crash. Stricter aircraft maintenance standards, and more frequent inspections for vintage aircraft used in aerobatic displays would have improved the aircraft's reliability and performance. Establishing a significant buffer zone between air show venue and public areas, such as roads and populated spaces, would have minimized the risk to the public in the event of an accident. Revisiting and updating airshow safety regulations, improving compliance mechanisms and ensuring organizers adhere to the highest safety standards, also would have contributed to a safer event. So implementing these measures could have significantly reduced the likelihood of the crash and enhanced overall safety at the show. Laura: So what lessons were learnt as a result of the crash, and how did it change airshows for the future? Brian: As a result of the Shoreham air show crash, several key controls and improvements were implemented to enhance safety and prevent similar incidents in the future. Authorities reassessed and tightened safety regulations for airshows. Stricter guidelines for the performance of aerobatic displays were established, ensuring higher safety standards and improved compliance mechanisms. Stricter altitude requirements were implemented. New regulations mandated higher minimum altitudes for performing complex aerobatic maneuvers, providing pilots with more room to recover if something goes wrong. Air show organizers are now required to conduct thorough risk assessments for all planned maneuvers. This includes evaluating specific risks and ensuring that each maneuver can be safely executed within the venue. Pilot training programs were updated to include enhanced safety protocols, decision making under stress, and specific procedures for managing unexpected situations during aerobatic displays. Maintenance protocols for vintage aircraft like the Hawker Hunter were strengthened. More frequent inspections and stringent adherence to maintenance standards ensure the airworthiness of aircraft used in such aerobatic displays. Airshow organizers implemented larger buffer zones between the display areas and nearby roads and or populated spaces. This minimizes the risk to the public in the event of an accident. Enhanced public safety measures were implemented including better spectator management, ensuring safe distance from the aerobatic display areas, and establishing clear communication channels for emergency instructions and communication should it be required. Emergency response procedures are meticulously planned and are drilled in advance of the event. Co-ordination is conducted between emergency services, air show organizers, and the local authorities, to improve and ensure a swift effective response in case of an incident. These controls and changes have significantly improved the safety of air shows and aerobatic displays aiming to prevent similar tragedies and ensure the safety of both pilots and spectators alike . Laura: Thanks for joining us on this episode of "Did History Actually Teach Us Anything?" 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