NEW DELHI: A American pilot died after a World War II-era Spitfire warrior crashed in northeast England on Saturday, authorities said.
” It is with great sadness that we must affirm the death of an RAF aircraft in a horrible incident near RAF Coningsby today”, RAF said in a statement.
” The plane’s family have been informed and we ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult day,” it said.
American PM Rishi Sunak expressed his condolences saying,” Terrible reports to see the life of a serving RAF captain cut brief in this tragic event. My thoughts are with their relatives and loved ones. “
The Prince and Princess of Wales paid their respects to the captain and his relatives.
” Very sad to hear of the information this evening from RAF Coningsby. Our emotions this hour are with the pilot’s loved people, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and the wider RAF home. W & C”, they said in a blog on X.
Earlier, Lincolnshire Police reported that the plane crashed in a niche off Langrick Road, which runs along the RAF network’s boundary.
RAF Coningsby, a local air pressure blog, is home to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, a collection of antique warrior and fighter plane that perform in atmosphere exhibitions and chapel displays.
Several of the flights were expected to perform a flying show Saturday at the local Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Center.
The accident occurred days before military plane will take to the skies to mark the 80th commemoration of D-Day, the June 6, 1944 Allied invasion of Normandy.
The catastrophe occurred just weeks before planes will take to the skies to recognize the 80th commemoration of D-Day, the June 6, 1944 Allied invasion of Normandy.
