A pilot who died in a Spitfire crash near an RAF base in Coningsby has been honoured with tributes. The Royal Air Force announced that they would carry out an extensive investigation into the accident, which occurred shortly before 1:20 pm BST on Saturday. The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, noted his shock at the occurrence, while the Prince and Princess of Wales declared themselves “incredibly sad” over the tragedy. The pilot’s identity has not yet been revealed, although it is expected to be named by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in due course.
The Spitfire in question was part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), a set of wartime planes that perform at outdoor demonstrations and events. There are only around six BBMF Spitfires that are airworthy, owing to their rarity and historical significance in the context of World War Two. William and Kate, who serve as Honorary Air Commandants for the Royal Air Force Coningsby, conveyed their condolences via their Kensington Palace social media account.
RAF enthusiasts had gathered on Saturday to watch the planes fly overhead. Commentators have noted that the aircraft has long been a part of the local community, which regards it and the other BBMF planes as part of the family. Lincolnshire Police confirmed that only one person was on board the plane at the time of the accident, and that it crashed in a field some distance away from any properties.
The Ministry of Defence provided a statement saying that the pilot’s loved ones had been informed of the tragedy and requested that they be given privacy to grieve. Motorists were advised to stay away from the vicinity of Sandy Bank and Dogdyke Road, where road closures were still in operation
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