The Royal Air Force (RAF) has temporarily grounded its Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) following the tragic death of Squadron Leader Mark Long in a Spitfire crash in Lincolnshire. The incident occurred just days before Long was scheduled to participate in the national D-Day commemorations. The grounding affects World War II-era aircraft, including Spitfires, which are a key part of the BBMF. An investigation into the crash is underway, and the RAF has issued an official statement regarding the incident from Group Captain Robbie Lees. The accident has also impacted events such as the Torbay airshow, which will be affected by the absence of these historic planes.
The U.K. defense ministry confirmed the death of a Royal Air Force pilot after the World War II-era Spitfire plane that he was flying crashed Saturday. https://t.co/E7nlxs4kRY
How will D-Day celebrations be affected after Spitfire crash? https://t.co/kRuHX1lN73
Torbay airshow hit by RAF grounding WW2 aircraft https://t.co/CsWHyxZwPf
Chilling moment RAF pilot killed in Spitfire crash talks about being 'careful' in vintage planes https://t.co/IrTvHCGQnx
The Royal Air Force has grounded its Second World War-era aircraft following the death of a Spitfire pilot in a crash days before he was to take part in a highlight of the national D-Day commemorations ⬇️ https://t.co/0ROMnDXpiV
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight 'temporarily paused' after Mark Long named as RAF pilot killed in Spitfire crash https://t.co/6jX2RnHVuw
The Royal Air Force has temporarily grounded the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) after the death of a pilot Read more🔗 https://t.co/XejMXPvV1P
BREAKING: The Royal Air Force has temporarily grounded the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) after the death of a pilot https://t.co/Q8zVdaYoPW
RAF grounds Spitfire fleet after death of pilot in Battle of Britain air display https://t.co/jbLnTDNTRi
#NDTVWorld | UK Air Force Grounds World War II Spitfire Planes After Pilot Dies In Crash https://t.co/qkuFJnOVtb https://t.co/nG2uO9TBHH
🛩️ RAF grounds Battle of Britain aircraft team ahead of D-Day celebrations https://t.co/SdUwHZCzZp
Battle of Britain planes grounded after death of pilot in Spitfire crash Read more🔗 https://t.co/yyNmGYlJ4d
The RAF has temporarily grounded the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight following the death of a pilot in a crash in Lincolnshire. https://t.co/EnzGi03827
RAF temporarily grounds Battle of Britain planes during investigation into spitfire pilot's death https://t.co/dH08AdrZgg
RAF issue update after pilot killed in Spitfire crash https://t.co/an9vMgZNq9
An aircraft engineer who restores historic Spitfire fighter planes that “all have a story to tell” has said they must be kept flying for future generations ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day https://t.co/qnX5nb3ZqS
The golden rule in aviation: No matter what, always fly the airplane! Incredible aerial footage captured the moment pilot Jake Swanepoel desperately tried to guide his light aircraft over houses in Western Sydney after experiencing engine failure shortly before 2pm on Sunday.… https://t.co/iW2HN743SF
Squadron Leader Mark Long praised as a ‘passionate, professional, aviator’ ⬇️ https://t.co/GBvdM7DRyT
An official statement from Group Captain Robbie Lees, Commander Display Air Wing, following the RAF Coningsby accident. Read the full statement here: https://t.co/jPLjs1jZQC https://t.co/zC74ratdw4