Shoreham Airshow crash pilot Andrew Hill cleared of manslaughter

The pilot whose plane crashed during the Shoreham Airshow, killing 11 men, has been cleared of manslaughter.
By Matthew Mohan-Hickson
Published 8th Mar 2019, 10:13 GMT
Updated 8th Mar 2019, 11:20 GMT
Pictures of (top row left to right) Matthew Grimstone, Matt Jones, Mark Reeves, Tony Brightwell and Mark Trussler, (Bottom row left to right) Dylan Archer, Richard Smith, Graham Mallinson, Maurice Abrahams and Daniele Polito, who died in the Shoreham Airshow crash. Picture: Family handout/PA WirePictures of (top row left to right) Matthew Grimstone, Matt Jones, Mark Reeves, Tony Brightwell and Mark Trussler, (Bottom row left to right) Dylan Archer, Richard Smith, Graham Mallinson, Maurice Abrahams and Daniele Polito, who died in the Shoreham Airshow crash. Picture: Family handout/PA Wire
Pictures of (top row left to right) Matthew Grimstone, Matt Jones, Mark Reeves, Tony Brightwell and Mark Trussler, (Bottom row left to right) Dylan Archer, Richard Smith, Graham Mallinson, Maurice Abrahams and Daniele Polito, who died in the Shoreham Airshow crash. Picture: Family handout/PA Wire

Andrew Hill had been attempting a loop when his Hawker Hunter jet exploded into a fireball on the A27.

Survivors ran for their lives and suffered terrible burns when they were caught in the blast on August 22, 2015.

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Mr Hill miraculously survived after being thrown clear from the burning wreckage into brambles.

Pictures of (top row left to right) Matthew Grimstone, Matt Jones, Mark Reeves, Tony Brightwell and Mark Trussler, (Bottom row left to right) Dylan Archer, Richard Smith, Graham Mallinson, Maurice Abrahams and Daniele Polito, who died in the Shoreham Airshow crash. Picture: Family handout/PA WirePictures of (top row left to right) Matthew Grimstone, Matt Jones, Mark Reeves, Tony Brightwell and Mark Trussler, (Bottom row left to right) Dylan Archer, Richard Smith, Graham Mallinson, Maurice Abrahams and Daniele Polito, who died in the Shoreham Airshow crash. Picture: Family handout/PA Wire
Pictures of (top row left to right) Matthew Grimstone, Matt Jones, Mark Reeves, Tony Brightwell and Mark Trussler, (Bottom row left to right) Dylan Archer, Richard Smith, Graham Mallinson, Maurice Abrahams and Daniele Polito, who died in the Shoreham Airshow crash. Picture: Family handout/PA Wire

He was flown to hospital with life-threatening injured and placed in an induced coma before being discharged a month later.

The prosecution said the former RAF and British Airways pilot had been flying too low and slow as he attempted the disastrous stunt.

Tom Kark QC alleged he had at times a "cavalier" attitude to safety and a history of taking risks, having played "fast and loose" with the rules in the past.

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But Mr Hill claimed he blacked out in the air, having experienced "cognitive impairment" brought on by hypoxia possibly due to the effects of G-force.

Andrew Hill, who crashed a Hawker Hunter aicraft onto the A27 after a failed loop manoeuvre during his display in 2015, killing 11 people, has been found not guilty of manslaughter. Picture: Jonathan Brady/PA WireAndrew Hill, who crashed a Hawker Hunter aicraft onto the A27 after a failed loop manoeuvre during his display in 2015, killing 11 people, has been found not guilty of manslaughter. Picture: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire
Andrew Hill, who crashed a Hawker Hunter aicraft onto the A27 after a failed loop manoeuvre during his display in 2015, killing 11 people, has been found not guilty of manslaughter. Picture: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

The 54-year-old, of Sandon, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, denied 11 counts of manslaughter by gross negligence.

The victims were Maurice Abrahams, 76; Dylan Archer, 42; Tony Brightwell, 53; Matthew Grimstone, 23; Matt Jones, 24; Graham Mallinson, 72; Daniele Polito, 23; Mark Reeves, 53; Jacob Schilt, 23; Richard Smith, 26; and Mark Trussler, 54, who all lived in Sussex.