Shoreham airshow crash pilot loses final appeal against flying licence refusal

The pilot involved in the 2015 Shoreham Airshow disaster has had his final attempt to regain his flying licence refused, bringing closure to many of the victims’ families.

Andrew Hill, who survived the crash that killed eleven men when his aircraft crashed onto the A27 during a display, had sought to challenge the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) decision not to reinstate his licence. Although he was acquitted of manslaughter in 2019, a coroner later ruled in 2022 that his actions were responsible for the crash. His judicial review application was rejected on Friday 9 May.

Relatives of those killed welcomed the High Court’s decision, saying it would help them begin to move on after nearly a decade. Families including the Schilts, Mallinsons and Grimstones issued statements expressing relief that Hill would not be permitted to fly again and urged him to respect the outcome and the memory of those who died.