The Princess of Wales has led tributes to the pilot who lost life in the crash of a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) spitfire crash yesterday at RAF Coningsby.
Kate is the honorary Air Commandant of RAF Coningbsy, home of the BBMF, after taking over the role from her husband, William Prince of Wales, last year.
On their official Twitter account the pair released a join statement saying: “Our thoughts this evening are with the pilot’s loved ones, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and the wider RAF family.”
A comprehensive investigation is now underway to find the cause of the accident which occurred just outside the premier of RAF Coningsby, a front line fighter base in Lincolnshire.
Flowers have started to be laid at near the site of the accident and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also offered his condolences saying: “Awful news to see the life of a serving RAF pilot cut short in this tragic event.”
The Labour leader Kier Starmer also added his thoughts saying: “Deeply saddened by news from Lincolnshire. Thank you to the emergency services for their response.” adding “My thoughts are with the pilot’s family at this awful time.”
The Ministry of Defence have asked for the families privacy to be respected.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is set up to honour the memory of the RAF’s significant role in the Battle of Britain and it features World War II era aircraft flown by volunteers who also carry out full time RAF duties.
Then flight consists of Six Spitfires, two Hurricanes, a Lancaster Bomber, A C47 transport aircraft and two chipmunk training aircraft.
As the aircraft was a military aircraft the investigation will be carried out by the Ministry of Defence not the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB).