Pilot Seriously Injured in Druine Turbulent Crash at Stow Maries Air Show
A pilot was seriously injured when a Druine D.31 Turbulent crashed during a display at the Stow Maries Air Show in Essex, UK
A serious incident occurred at the Stow Maries Air Show in Essex, United Kingdom, when a single-seat Druine D.31 Turbulent was damaged during a display, resulting in the pilot suffering serious injuries. The event was subsequently halted, and the site was closed to the public.
Pilot Injured and Taken to Hospital The Essex Police reported that officers were called to the scene shortly before 14:25 local time, and the aircraft's sole occupant was taken to a London hospital with serious injuries. The East of England Ambulance Service confirmed that paramedics attended the scene, and police asked people at the event to follow instructions from organizers and emergency crews. The aerodrome stated that it was cooperating with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and emergency services.
The AAIB said it had been made aware of the incident and would deploy an inspector to carry out an initial assessment. The aerodrome has not disclosed how the aircraft was damaged, and no registration has been published. A social media update later confirmed that the pilot was receiving treatment at a London hospital.
Background of the Turbulent Display Team The Turbulent Display Team, operated by the Tiger Club, has been flying at air shows since 1959. The team's routine consists of low-level formation flying, balloon-bursting, flour-bombing, and limbo flying beneath a banner. The Druine D.31 is a French-designed single-seater made of wood and fabric, powered by a converted Volkswagen automobile engine, and weighs about 159 kilograms (350 pounds) empty.
Recent Display Accidents in the UK The accident at Stow Maries Air Show follows another incident at Old Warden a day earlier, where the de Havilland DH.88 Comet G-ACSS “Grosvenor House” overturned on landing during the Shuttleworth Trust’s Flying Proms. The Stow Maries Air Show was sold out and staged to raise funds for the on-site museum, which is the largest surviving World War I aerodrome.
The incident highlights the risks involved in air shows and the importance of safety measures. The AAIB's investigation will likely shed more light on the cause of the accident and provide recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future. For now, the focus is on the pilot's recovery and the support for the air show community.
