Shoreham Airshow disaster: Pilot's appeal to have flying licence reinstated is unsuccessful

Eleven men lost their lives when a Hawker Hunter jet – flown by Andrew Hill – crashed onto the A27 during a display at the Shoreham Airshow on Saturday, August 22 in 2015. A further 13 people were injured after the deadliest air show incident in UK for more than 50 years.

After an inquest lasting for more than two weeks in December 2022 – and seven years after the tragedy – senior coroner Penelope Schofield said the victims were unlawfully killed when a Hawker Hunter T7 aircraft crashed, whilst attempting an incorrectly flown looping manoeuvre.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) previously suspended the pilot’s licence – meaning he was unable to fly in the UK.

Appealing this decision, Mr Hill, 60, appeared in front of a panel at a two-day hearing in London earlier this month, as confirmed in a document published by the CAA.

A decision has now been made.

A UK Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson said on Thursday, October 17: “Following a public hearing on a challenge by Andrew Hill to a UK Civil Aviation Authority proposal to revoke his pilot and flight radio telephony licences, the Civil Aviation Authority's decision panel has confirmed that proposal and Andrew Hill’s licences will now formally be revoked.

"Following the crash at the Shoreham Airshow in 2015 in which 11 people died, Andrew Hill’s licences were suspended, and he has been unable to fly in the UK since then.

"The thoughts of everyone at the UK Civil Aviation Authority remain with those affected by the tragic crash.

"The full decision document is available on the CAA website.”