A decision by the pilot who survived the tragic Shoreham Airshow disaster in 2015 to challenge the revocation of his flying licences has caused an outpouring of anger from the families of the victims.
Former RAF pilot Andy Hill, now 60, is fighting the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) decision in the High Court, just months after losing a previous appeal to reverse the ruling.
The tragic crash, which killed 11 people, continues to haunt the families who lost their loved ones that day.
Families of the Victims Express Their Fury
The families of those killed in the Shoreham disaster had thought their legal ordeal was over when Hill appeared to miss the deadline to file another appeal.
However, Hill claims that a backlog in the court system prevented him from filing on time, reigniting their pain.
Caroline Schilt, who lost her 23-year-old son Jacob in the crash, expressed her frustration, stating that Hill’s late appeals felt like a “personal vendetta” against the victims’ families.
Schilt added that Hill has never accepted responsibility for the crash or shown any remorse, which only deepens their grief.
The Shoreham Airshow Tragedy
The crash occurred during a 2015 Shoreham Airshow performance when Hill’s 1950s jet failed to gain altitude and crashed on the A27 in West Sussex.
The plane’s collision tragically killed 11 individuals, including Jacob Schilt and his friend Matt Grimstone, both of whom were on their way to play football when the crash occurred.
Many people, like Tony Mallinson, who lost his 72-year-old father James, see Hill’s actions as selfish, focusing on his own desire to fly rather than considering the lasting pain it causes to the bereaved families.
Legal Battle and the Public’s Opinion
Despite the coroner’s 2022 ruling that the victims were unlawfully killed and Hill’s “exceptionally bad” flying, Hill was acquitted of manslaughter after a trial at the Old Bailey.
His defense argued that Hill was cognitively impaired during the flight, but the families believe justice was not served.
The CAA has staunchly stood by its decision to revoke Hill’s licences, emphasizing their conviction that Hill is unfit to fly again.
His inability to answer simple questions during his previous appeal hearing only strengthened the CAA’s stance.
The Civil Aviation Authority’s Position
The CAA’s response to Hill’s appeal has been firm, with a spokesperson confirming that they will not reinstate his pilot or radio telephony licences.
After the fatal crash, Hill’s licences were suspended, and he has not been able to fly in the UK since.
While Hill’s legal team contends that the CAA’s decision was influenced by public reaction to the crash, the authorities continue to uphold their position.
The CAA’s statement reflects the ongoing support for the families affected by the Shoreham disaster, with their thoughts remaining with the victims.
What’s Next for the Legal Challenge?
Hill’s latest attempt to regain his flying rights has now been submitted to the High Court, though his legal team has yet to provide a public comment on the matter.
As the legal proceedings continue, the families of the victims wait anxiously, hoping that justice will ultimately prevail and that the painful chapter of this tragedy will finally come to a close.