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Red Arrows Pilot Death: Wife Saw Plane Go Down

Red Arrows Pilot Death: Wife Saw Plane Go Down

A Red Arrows plane that crashed near Bournemouth Airport in August 2011 "belly-flopped" onto the ground, an inquest has heard.

An eyewitness to the crash told Bournemouth Coroners Court that she had felt the "plane was in control".

"It wobbled and skidded away. A puff of something came from the back," she said.

Denise Charles, who lives next to Bournemouth Airport, said the whole thing happened in seconds and she assumed it was part of a Red Arrows routine.

Jon Egging, 33, from Rutland, who flew as Red 4, was killed in the crash.

His wife, Dr Emma Egging, earlier described to the court how he had previously suffered from neck pain but was in "good spirits" on the day he died.

She watched the performance that day in Bournemouth along with the partners of other pilots.

Chris Lyndon-Smith, who flew Red 2, described how he saw Flight Lieutenant Egging's plane go down as they manoeuvred to land.

He said he shouted over the radio, instructing Mr Egging to check his altimeter, but he got no response.

The inquest is scheduled to last two days. The hearing continues.