Display plane pilot dies after car festival crash

A DISPLAY plane crashed killing the pilot at a family motoring and music festival in the north of England this afternoon.
A small aircraft has crashed onto the site of a car festival in Cheshire. Picture: TwitterA small aircraft has crashed onto the site of a car festival in Cheshire. Picture: Twitter
A small aircraft has crashed onto the site of a car festival in Cheshire. Picture: Twitter

The aircraft was taking part in a dual display when it crashed into a field half a mile north of the main circuit at Car Fest at Oulton Park, Cheshire, where thousands of people were gathered for the event, which raises funds for the BBC’s Children in Need.

Pictures taken by eyewitnesses showed plumes of smoke in the sky above where the plane crashed. The identity of the pilot is not yet known.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Meanwhile, a Second World War Spitfire also crashed as it came in to land at Biggin Hill airport at around 3pm today. The pilot, Dan Griffith, was taken to hospital, but was not believed to be seriously injured.

Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar said: “Spitfire MK912 this afternoon suffered a loss of power after take-off and force landed back on the airfield. The aircraft is badly damaged but pilot Dan Griffith carried out a textbook forced landing and is OK.”

CarFest founder and Top Gear host Chris Evans tweeted about the display plane crash, which is believed to involve aircraft from a group called the Gnat Display Team. He wrote: “I am very sad to announce there has been a serious air incident at CarFest North off site. The emergency services are in attendance.”

One Twitter user said: “Feel sick. I just witnessed a plane crash at Carfest. Literally flew over my head and blew up in a ball of flames in a field.”

As many as five air display teams were due to perform over the three-day event, which began on Friday. Musicians Primal Scream and Joss Stone were also billed.