Families Express Disappointment That Safety Recommendations Still Not Implemented And A Lack Of Accountability

Families affected by the Shoreham Air Show crash almost 18 months ago say that they are disappointed that safety recommendations to reduce the risk of a repeat incident have not yet been fully implemented and nor have their questions been fully answered as the final  report reveals the cause of the crash.

11 members of the public were killed and the pilot was left with serious injuries on 22nd August 2015 when a Hawker Hunter T7 aircraft flying as part of the Shoreham Air Show crashed into the westbound carriageway of the A27.  

Irwin Mitchell’s specialist aviation team represents 14 victims affected by the crash including those who lost loved ones and others who were severely injured following the incident.

A report by the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) today revealed that there were a series of factors which contributed to the crash and the main findings include that there were  failures on the part of the organisers to full comply with CAA guidance in relation to the organising and running of air shows,  insufficient account taken of lessons learnt from previous air shows together with a failure to maintain the aircraft in accordance with CAA guidelines.

In preparing their final report, the AAIB had requested a review of the 2015 Shoreham Air Show Air Display Risk Assessment by the Health and Safety Laboratory, which examined the adequacy of the Risk Assessment itself and stated “In conclusion, the risk assessment is not considered to be fit for purpose as it does not demonstrate that the risk from the air display at the airshow were being managed and controlled”.

Alarmingly, the AAIB’s report confirmed that “the CAA did not require to see or approve risk assessments before issuing a permission to hold a flying display”.

Speaking after the report’s publication, Irwin Mitchell said the families they represent were disappointed with the outcome of the investigation, leaving them with a number of unanswered questions and a feeling of a lack of accountability.  Their overwhelming desire is for lessons to be learned to prevent similar incidents in future.

The AAIB had previously made 21 safety recommendations following the Shoreham Air Show disaster. The CAA considered these recommendations and responded but the AAIB only considered 9 of the initial responses sufficient enough to deem the recommendations dealt with. Work still yet to be completed by the CAA means that some of the recommendations will remain outstanding until at least 2018.  The Final Report, released today, makes a further 11 Safety Recommendations. 

Mr and Mrs Grimstone, who lost their son Matthew in the tragedy, said: “Apart from anything that the Pilot may have got wrong it is very evident the CAA and the Shoreham Air Show organisers have got much to answer for. Rules laid down by the CAA were quite clearly inadequate and those that were there were, in some cases, not fully adhered to by the Air Show organisers.”

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“The families have been waiting almost 18 months for answers as to what went wrong on that tragic day and more importantly why. The AAIB investigation and report has been central to the families’ desire to establish the truth as to what happened. They finally have some answers which is clearly a relief.

“The overwhelming concerns which remain are the lack of adequate safety regulations which were in place before the accident together with the failure of the organisers of the Air Show to implement existing CAA procedures which were in force at the time. Tragically, it appears that this was a disaster waiting to happen and one that could have been avoided.

“It remains a significant disappointment that 18 months after this tragedy occurred, many of the recommendations made by the AAIB to improve the safety of future Air Shows have still not been implemented by the CAA. The CAA has stated they may not be in a position to complete aspects of their investigation until 2018.

“The families affected want to be reassured that lessons have been learned to reduce the risk of a tragedy like this happening again and it is distressing to them to see that recommendations which they see as common sense have still not been acted upon.

“Indeed, the seeming reluctance by the CAA to adopt a number of the AAIB’s recommendations is a cause of major concern. Questions may now be asked about whether the CAA has given adequate priority to ensuring the safety of the public. At the same time, the families and individuals who we represent have shown astonishing patience, dignity and grace in dealing with tragic loss and terrible injury. We call upon the CAA to acknowledge this and act upon all the recommendations of the AAIB as a matter of urgency.

“Nothing can turn back the clock and some of those affected may never fully recover from the trauma of what happened. We are working with our clients to ensure that they secure the best possible support to maximise their recovery and rehabilitation.” Rebecca Smith - Other

An Inquest into the deaths at the Shoreham Air Show is likely to take place next year pending a Police investigation.  The families face yet further uncertainty until these investigations are concluded.

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