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By: - 26th August 2019 at 12:36 Permalink
Yes, you are right. According to a report in the Sun today it was a Pitts S-2A out of White Waltham piloted by Emily Collett an instructor with Ultimate Aerobatics. Her pupil was Tom Castle. They were practicing spins when the two seater came down in a field near Stonor in Oxfordshire. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. The AAIB has recovered the wreckage to Farnborough.
Emily Collett had taught Carol Vorderman some manoeuvres in the same aircraft.
By: - 26th August 2019 at 14:10 Permalink
Very sad news RIP
By: - 26th August 2019 at 14:32 Permalink
Confirmed as the Pitts. Many photos with the Sun. R.I.P.
Posts: 586
By: - 26th August 2019 at 16:04 Permalink
My heart aches for the families and loved ones.
Deepest sympathies.
Andy
By: - 26th August 2019 at 23:02 Permalink
I witnessed a similar accident off St. Michaels mount some years ago, also in a Pitts. I believe the cause was due to either a loose object or an unapproved fitment for it.
By: - 27th August 2019 at 01:00 Permalink - Edited 27th August 2019 at 01:00
RIP and condolences to friends and family.
And to answer the question raised in the original post, yes, the Pitts is certainly historic.
First flight in 1944.
By: - 27th August 2019 at 07:56 Permalink
Many condolences to all concerned. A great tragedy as always when this kind of thing happens. As an aside I was quite surprised that no- one appears to have mentioned on this thread that Emily was a much valued member of the Great War Combat Team & wife I believe of Mike Collett, Ex chief pilot of Air Atlantique.
By: - 27th August 2019 at 08:23 Permalink
How sad for all concerned.
By: - 27th August 2019 at 08:43 Permalink
Many condolences to all concerned. A great tragedy as always when this kind of thing happens. As an aside I was quite surprised that no- one appears to have mentioned on this thread that Emily was a much valued member of the Great War Combat Team & wife I believe of Mike Collett, Ex chief pilot of Air Atlantique.
Different Mike Collet...
By: - 27th August 2019 at 10:41 Permalink
R I P
By: - 27th August 2019 at 12:37 Permalink
Different Mike Collet...
Thanks for correcting me on that Nige. I didn't realise we had two different pilots on the scene with the same name. My sincere apologies to all those concerned.
By: - 27th August 2019 at 15:20 Permalink - Edited 27th August 2019 at 15:26
As a White Waltham flyer myself, accidents such as this are long-remembered, and the terrible loss of the Pitts crew now sits with a Tiger Moth, and and Stampe in the last decade. All hit the ground within 3 miles of Henley on Thames, all took two lives with them , and all spun to the ground. In 2005 Mark Walden ( BA, Concorde/747) crashed fatally in his aerobatic CAP222 on the edge of the airfield. Another spin. There are perhaps lessons to be learnt, but this thread is not the place for such contemplation.
Perhaps the most sobering realisation is that even great experience and competence will not guarantee that you will never beome a statistic. Emily Collett was at the top of the 'game' , but then so were Art Scholl ( accident whilst filming Top Gun 1982) and the renowned display pilot Stefan Karwowski, who were both lost in accidents when their Pitts failed to recover from spins.
Anyone who enters the aerobatic world does so with their eyes open, and makes a personal choice, and their right to make such a choice should be respected.
The price to be paid, though, can sometimes be so high, it is hard to bear.
By: - 27th August 2019 at 23:18 Permalink
The crash off St Michael's Mount was a Steen Skybolt, its fire extinguisher exited the aircraft and was found on the roof of a pub in Marazion.
You are quite right. Please forgive an old mans failing memory.
By: - 29th August 2019 at 09:41 Permalink
By: - 29th August 2019 at 15:42 Permalink
Greatly saddened to hear this. I have very fond memories of watching a Spitfire display at a Proms event at Stonor Park, and most years when we play cricket at Swyncombe we can see people aerobatting in the area.
RIP
Adrian
By: - 29th August 2019 at 16:48 Permalink
Seeing the human side of an accident,so sorry to everyone for their loss
Posts: 407
By: skyskooter - 25th August 2019 at 21:47
BBC local news is reporting that a small biplane crashed in woods at Stonor near Henley on Thames resulting in fatal injuries to the pilot and passenger. The identity of the aircraft is not known but I am assuming that it is Historic.