Footage from cockpit cameras in the Hawker Hunter jet which crashed during the Shoreham airshow has revealed that the aircraft "appeared to be responding to the pilot's control inputs".
An initial report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch found there were "no abnormal indications" during the flight.
The AAIB published an interim report after 11 men were killed when the Hawker Hunter plummeted onto the A27 in one of Britain's worst air show disasters.
Investigators seeking to find out what caused the crash have been examining the plane wreckage after it was sent to Farnborough, Hampshire, for analysis.
The AAIB report also disclosed that investigators are looking into whether the pilot, Andy Hill, "attempted to initiate ejection", because the aircraft's canopy had been released.
It was unclear whether the canopy had been jettisoned by the pilot or detached in the impact, it added.
"During the initial part of the impact sequence the jettisonable aircraft canopy was released, landing in a tree close to the main aircraft wreckage," said the seven-page report.
"During the latter part of the impact sequence, both the pilot and his seat were thrown clear from the cockpit.
"The pilot sustained serious injuries.
"The investigation continues to determine if the pilot attempted to initiate ejection or if the canopy and pilot’s seat were liberated as a result of impact damage to the cockpit."
The AAIB disclosed there were two "image recording cameras" mounted within the Hawker Hunter's cockpit.
One was located between the two seats, giving a partial view of the pilot and instrument panel, as well as a view through the cockpit canopy and windscreen.
The report stated: "To date no abnormal indications have been identified.
"Throughout the flight, the aircraft appeared to be responding to the pilot's control inputs."
The other camera was mounted at the base of the windscreen looking over the nose.
Investigators have received a "large amount" of video and photographs of the aircraft from various locations around Shoreham Airport, where the airshow was taking place, the report said.
Many of these are in high definition are will be analysed in a bid to determine the jet's manoeuvres, including flight path and speed.
The AAIB said the pilot carried out a pre-flight inspection before taking off from North Weald Airfield, Essex, to fly to Shoreham and there were "no reported defects".
The document added: "The pilot was described as being in good spirits and looking forward to the flight."
The final victim was named earlier this week as pensioner Graham Mallinson when the inquest was opened and adjourned by West Sussex senior coroner Penelope Schofield.
Some families of those who died attended the hearing at County Hall North, in Horsham, at which all the victims' names were officially confirmed before a minute's silence.
The inquest was adjourned to a date yet to be fixed. A pre-inquest review will be held on March 22 and Ms Schofield said she would provisionally set the full inquest into all the deaths next June, ahead of the first anniversary of the disaster
This post was written by: Author Name
Your description comes here!
Get Free Email Updates to your Inbox!
Post a Comment