Report finds Spitfire crashed after flipping during takeoff

A replica Spitfire aircraft crashed during takeoff at Enstone Airfield near Chipping Norton, resulting in the pilot's death, according to a recent air accident investigation report.

Peter Hughes, aged 71, lost his life when the plane flipped over and caught fire after an attempted takeoff on 28 July 2024. The crash occurred at Enstone Airfield, located in Oxfordshire. The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) concluded that the investigation did not identify any technical faults that would have impacted the aircraft's ability to remain controllable during the takeoff.

Mr. Hughes was the sole occupant of the aircraft, and there were no other casualties reported. The report also stated that surveillance footage and witness testimonies indicated that the aircraft suddenly "pitched up sharply" before rolling quickly to the left, heading toward the edge of the runway. The left wingtip struck the ground, causing the aircraft to flip and ignite, leading to fatal injuries for Mr. Hughes.

The AAIB report noted that a definitive cause for the loss of control could not be determined. Following the crash, the family of Peter Hughes expressed their devastation, describing him as a "deeply generous" man and a vital member of the communities he was part of.

The replica Spitfire, built in 2013, was a World War II fighter aircraft model. This incident marked the second crash of a replica Spitfire from the same airfield in less than a year. In October 2023, 68-year-old Trevor Bailey, from Cheltenham, also lost his life while piloting a replica Spitfire near Enstone.

Author: Logan Reeves