Pilot suffers life-changing injuries in 'distressing' airshow incident

The pilot of a single-seat Druine D.31 Turbulent was 'seriously injured' at Stow Maries Air Show on Sunday 16 August. (Credit: The Turbulent Team)

The pilot of a light aircraft that came into trouble at a sold-out Essex airshow has suffered 'life-changing injuries'.

It happened at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, near Maldon, at around 2:30pm on Sunday (August 16).

During a 'well-rehearsed routine' from The Turbulent Team, one of the aircraft became damaged and the pilot was 'seriously injured'.

The routine was part of a low-level flying display that features pilots chasing balloons, dropping flour bombs and limbo-flying.

The airshow was a sold out event, with aviation enthusiasts from across the country in attendance to watch aircraft such as a Spitfire and a Fokker take to the sky. (Credit: Martin Johnson).

Essex Police say the pilot remains in a London hospital and is receiving treatment for injuries that medical staff have described as 'life changing but not life threatening'.

The Museum is expected to reopen to the public on Friday, but the site will not reopen to air traffic until the investigation by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch has concluded and permission has been granted.

The Turbulent Team’s website describes the aircraft, which was first flown in the 1950s, as 'little more than a flying motorbike', weighing about 350lbs when empty.

Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, flew in the Druine Turbulent in 1959, becoming the first member of the royal family to fly a single-seat aircraft.

Prince Philip flew solo in a Druine Turbulent on October 24,1959 from White Waltham Airfield in Berkshire (Credit: Keystone USA)

Ian Flint, Chief Executive Officer of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, said: “We join the whole aviation community in sending our very best wishes to the injured pilot, his family and the Turbulent Display Team.

“This was a distressing incident for everyone concerned.

"I want to personally extend my thanks to the staff and volunteers on site who performed with the utmost professionalism.

"Everyone reacted swiftly and calmly, including members of the public who were incredibly supportive during the incident and subsequent closure of the site."

Ian Flint, CEO of SMGWA, said the incident was 'distressing' and thanked volunteers who acted 'swiftly and calmly'. (Credit: David Davies)

The Stow Maries Air Show was advertised as a 'festival of aviation' to raise funds for the First World War military aviation museum - which is the largest in Europe of its kind.

A spokesperson for the aerodrome said: "Further updates will be shared if and when appropriate."