Revealed: How a Spitfire from RAF Cosford Air Show nearly crashed over Wolverhampton
A Spitfire plane taking part in a display at this year's RAF Cosford Air Show was involved in a near miss with a light aircraft afterwards, it has been revealed.
The incident happened on June 19 after the military aircraft had taken part in a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
A report by the UK Airprox Board (UKAB) said just 100ft separated the vintage aircraft from a Grob 115 as it led a formation that also included a Hurricane.
The Grob 115 light aircraft had taken off from Halfpenny Green airport near Wolverhampton.
The incident over the city at 12.11pm was listed under the second highest risk category by the board.
The report stated that the Spitfire pilot was "late" in spotting the light aircraft.
"He took avoiding action to pass below and behind. He noted that if he had not taken avoiding action the aircraft would not have collided, but would have been very close indeed.
"Immediately prior to the Airprox, he had called Halfpenny Green to ask them about local traffic. They had informed him about traffic that had left their circuit, but he had not been able to ascertain the whereabouts of that traffic," the report said. He also assessed the collision risk as "high".
The light aircraft did not see the Spitfire.
