Red Arrows Grounded As Pilot Dies At Show

The Red Arrows have been grounded amid an investigation into why one of the aerobatic team's planes crashed, killing a pilot.

Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging had just taken part in an air show in Bournemouth, where the 33-year-old's wife was among the thousands of spectators.

His Hawk T1 aircraft had completed the display and the Red Arrows were heading back to Bournemouth Airport when Flt Lt Egging's plane split off from the group and smashed into a field.

It came to a standstill with its nose in the River Stour, near the village of Throop.

Witnesses said he had guided the plane away from houses and people.

Tributes to Flt Lt Egging - known to colleagues as "Eggman" - were led by his wife, Emma.

"Jon was everything to those that knew him, and he was the best friend and husband I could ever have wished for," she said.

"There was nothing bad about Jon. He loved his job and was an exemplary pilot.

"Watching him today, I was the proudest I've ever been. I loved everything about him, and he will be missed."

It is the first death of a Red Arrows pilot since 1988, when Flt Lt Neil MacLachlan was killed during a practice manoeuvre at RAF Scampton.

Dorset Police said Flt Lt Egging had been thrown from the aircraft. It is not clear whether he had been able to eject.

The MoD said an investigation had been launched and refused to speculate on the cause.

Nicholas Gore, 22, was close to the river when he saw all nine Red Arrows overhead following the display at the Bournemouth Air Festival.

"There were quite a few people watching and we saw them go over but one seemed quite low," he said.

"They then disappeared behind trees and I heard a crack - not an explosion - just a crack and we got further down and I saw the plane with its red tail in the air and its nose in the river."

Group Captain Simon Blake, the Commandant of the RAF's Central Flying School, said the pilot, who joined the team in the autumn of 2010, was a "gifted aviator".

He said: "A true team player, his good nature and constant smile will be sorely missed by all.

"In such a close-knit team, this tragedy will be keenly felt by his fellow team members, the Reds, and all of the engineering and support staff, the Blues."

Flt Lt Egging, who lived with his wife in Rutland, was inspired to fly by his airline pilot father.

He joined the RAF in 2000 and was based at RAF Cottesmore with IV(AC) Squadron. He served in Afghanistan, flying the Harrier GR9 in support of coalition forces.