Red Arrows Pilot Died Of Multiple Injuries

A Red Arrows pilot died of multiple injuries after he ejected from a stationary aircraft and his parachute failed to open, an inquest has heard.

It happened at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire on November 8.

The inquest heard Flt Lieutenant Sean Cunningham had completed ground safety checks when the ejector seat of his Hawk jet was activated.

The main parachute did not open and the 35-year-old did not become separated from his seat, as should have happened.

He was still strapped in the seat when it landed on the ground.

An ambulance was called and Flt Lt Cunningham was taken to Lincoln County Hospital where he was confirmed dead at 12.14pm.

A post-mortem examination showed the cause of death was multiple injuries due to a fall from height. Toxiocology tests were negative.

The inquest was told a full investigation is being carried out to find out what went wrong.

Det Supt Shaun West, from Lincolnshire Police, said there were two critical questions they were investigating - why the ejector seat activated and why the parachute mechanism did not do what it was reasonably expected to.

Flt Lt Cunningham joined the Red Arrows team in October 2010 and was a senior member who flew at the front of the formation during air shows.

He was born in South Africa but moved to the UK in 1986 aged nine. He was a promising footballer but it was his dream to become a jet pilot.

He went to school in Coventry and graduated from Nottingham Trent University before joining the RAF in 2000, flying the Tornado GR4 during several tours of Iraq.

At the time of his death, his family said: "Since his childhood Sean had dreamed of flying fast jets in the RAF; through his hard work and dedication he achieved that dream, and the pinnacle of his career was flying in the Red Arrows."

Colleagues said Flt Lt Cunningham was affectionately known as 'Enid' and that he had a key position mentoring and training new pilots.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said he was "regarded as among the most talented aviators in the world".

Coroner Stuart Fisher adjourned the inquest to a later date but warned it could be "months" before it is reopened.