Air shows face probe after Shoreham disaster

The Civil Aviation Authority is holding a review into current safety guidelines at all air shows following the accident – and has already ruled that "high-energy aerobatics" involving vintage jets will be banned over land.

It is believed the pilot of the Hawker Hunter that crashed, Andy Hill, had flown at both Cosford and at the Welshpool Bob Jones Memorial Air Show.

Questions have been raised about the safety of allowing air shows close to main roads after Mr Hill's jet came down on the busy A27.

Cosford Air Show has an excellent safety record, but the base is close to roads including the A41, A442 and M54. Show organisers today declined to comment in the aftermath of the Shoreham disaster.

Four cars were hit, including a wedding limousine and the resulting explosion created a huge fireball and littered debris across the carriageway.

The accident comes just weeks after a pilot was killed in a crash at the Car Fest event in Cheshire. Other recent fatalities involving air shows include a pilot practising for a display near Biggleswade in 2012 and a Red Arrows pilot killed after a display at the Bournemouth Air Show in 2011.

The family of 23-year-old Matthew Grimstone, who was among those killed at Shoreham, have called for a ban on all air shows unless they involve stunts over the sea. The CAA last night said vintage jets would be "limited to flypasts" unless they are off the coast.

A CAA spokesman said: "We immediately commenced our review processes and remain committed to continuously enhancing the safety of all civil aviation and will provide further updates. The safety standards that must be met by all major civil air displays in the UK are among the very highest in the world. All air display arrangements must meet rigorous safety requirements and all aviation safety requirements are regularly reviewed."

Councillor Stuart West, who represents Shifnal and Cosford, said his first thoughts were for the victims. He said: "It was a terrible accident and I would not be surprised if air shows end up being more stringently controlled. But it would very sad if, in future, shows were banned from having flights by vintage aircraft. This country has extremely high standards for the maintenance and operation of aircraft, whatever their age, and I think to ban them would be folly. I certainly hope that the terrible accident at Shoreham won't affect the future of the Cosford Air Show."

An RAF spokesman said: "We are not going to comment on an ongoing civilian investigation."

Linda Jones, of the Bob Jones Air Show, said: "It is far too early for the committee to comment."