Shoreham air crash: Watchdog accepts AAIB safety measures

The Hawker Hunter jet plummeted on to the A27 on 22 August 2015

A raft of safety measures recommended in the wake of the Shoreham air disaster have been accepted by the aviation watchdog.

A vintage hawker hunter jet crashed on to the A27 during a stunt at the show in August 2015, killing 11 men.

Pilot Andy Hill, 51, survived and is being investigated for manslaughter.

All 21 safety recommendations made by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) have been accepted by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

They include a review into whether changes should be made to the minimum distance required between the public and display aircraft, and a review of guidance for air show organisers, including how they carry out risk assessments.

George Bacon, spokesman for the British Air Display Association, said most of the measures aimed at improving safety at air shows were already in action.

The AAIB made seven safety recommendations in December 2015, and a further 14 three months later.

It is expected to publish its final report, concluding its investigation into the accident on 22 August 2015, within the next few months.

A CAA spokesman said it had completed more than half of the safety recommendations.

"Some are longer term work, but the aim is to have as many in place as possible before the start of the air show season."

Former RAF pilot Andy Hill was thrown clear as his jet plummeted on to the A27

Mr Bacon said the final AIIB report "may well have far more urgent issues to address... but nobody can argue with making the flying of aircraft safer".

The 11 victims were killed when the vintage jet fell to the ground during a rolling manoeuvre, destroying a number of vehicles and bursting into flames.

An inquest is yet to be held.

(Top row, left to right) Matt Jones, Matthew Grimstone, Jacob Schilt, Maurice Abrahams, Richard Smith. (Bottom row, left to right) Mark Reeves, Tony Brightwell, Mark Trussler, Daniele Polito, Dylan Archer, Graham Mallinson

The victims

• Matt Jones, a 24-year-old personal trainer

• Matthew Grimstone, 23, a Worthing United footballer who worked as a groundsman at Brighton & Hove Albion

• Jacob Schilt, also 23 and also a Worthing United player, was travelling to a match with Mr Grimstone

• Maurice Abrahams, 76, from Brighton, was a chauffeur on his way to pick up a bride on her wedding day

• Friends Richard Smith, 26, and Dylan Archer, 42, who were going for a bike ride on the South Downs

• Mark Reeves, 53, had ridden his motorcycle to the perimeter of Shoreham Airport to take photos of the planes

• Tony Brightwell, 53, from Hove was an aircraft enthusiast and had learnt to fly at Shoreham airfield

• Mark Trussler, 54, is thought to have been riding his motorcycle on the A27

• Daniele Polito was travelling in the same car as Mr Jones

• Graham Mallinson, 72, from Newick, was a keen photographer and retired engineer