The pilot involved in the Shoreham Airshow disaster is appealing against the decision to revoke his flying licence.
Andrew Hill, 60, is appearing in front of a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) panel in London, according to a document published by the regulator.
Eleven men were killed when Mr Hill crashed into the A27 road while performing a manoeuvre at the Shoreham Airshow in West Sussex on August 22, 2015.
His licence was suspended by the CAA following the incident in a Hawker Hunter plane.
Mr Hill was charged with 11 counts of manslaughter by gross negligence but, after a trial, was found not guilty in March 2019.
West Sussex senior coroner Penelope Schofield ruled at an inquest in December 2022 that his significant errors and “poor” flying led to the 11 men being unlawfully killed.
Mr Hill is seeking the return of his full pilot’s licence.
The two-day hearing at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London began on Wednesday.
A decision is expected to be published up to 10 days after the hearing ends.
When it emerged in December last year that Mr Hill wanted to fly again, Anthony Mallinson, whose father Graham, 72, was killed in the Shoreham disaster, told The Sun newspaper it was causing “stress and worry” for the victims’ loved ones.
He said: “We all, as a collaborative of families, feel extremely strongly that he never has his pilot’s licence reinstated out of respect for all of us, the families and all of our loved ones lost.
“He shouldn’t be anywhere near a cockpit.”
A CAA spokesperson said: “We cannot comment on an ongoing legal case.”
Tricky one. He was found not guilty. The CAA report said that many things contributed to the accident. Distressing as it may be – car drivers that are guilty of causing death by driving are allowed to drive once their ban has ended.
Totally agree
The coroner said that the 11 men who died were unlawfully killed. Given the scale of the tragedy I think this man must something of a narcissist to try to demand the return of his flying licence. He’s hardly in the flush of youth and it’s almost certainly time he hanged his wings up.
The coroner was wrong on two counts, first, I am not aware that you can actually ‘kill’ someone lawfully therefore the wording ‘unlawfully’ is incorrect.
Second, taking the word ‘unlawfully’ at face value and the meaning itself indicates an unlawful act or crime has been committed, in this case, he was found not guilty in a law of court.
Drivers who are convicted of manslaughter receive bans and are able to get their driving licences back, this guy hasn’t been convicted of any crimes and is entitled to get his licence back, however, Pilots have to prove they are fit and proper to hold licence’s. I don’t think he is a fit and proper person, and I don’t think the CAA will allow him to fly.
We’ll have to wait and see.
I prefer the opinion of the coroner. The term he used is a common verdict. Far more thought will have gone into it’s correct use than the musings that came to you in your brief consideration.
Thank you for the feedback.
I’m sure you do prefer the opinion of the coroner. She may well have used a common verdict but she was still wrong with the verdict.
Interesting that you talk about the correct use, I think you will find a legal challenge on the wording has been filed.
I have given this more thought than you obviously have.
In court, witnesses were called and evidence presented to 12 individuals who made their decision based on those points of facts.
No crime was committed therefore he can’t have done anything unlawfully, its a simple as that despite what our own thoughts and opinions are.
11 people were unlawfully killed, and this man should be keeping a low profile.
The gall of the man
How many people will he take out with him next time?
He killed 11 people already – a mass murderer, legitimized by the aviation authority
The guy must be completely deluded.
Can you imagine what his insurance policy would cost?
He shouldn’t even have had the thought of getting his license back, clearly he doesn’t give a hoot about the family’s of all those he killed. It may have been a mistake, but you can’t bring back 11 people. He was one of the most experienced pilots in the country but out of respect this isn’t the right thing to do. Unbelievable.
This should never happen and everyone with even a little sense, know this.
Gary Numan would be appalled. Let’s ask little Rachel Riley. She’ll know what’s what.