THE FAMILIES of those killed in the Shoreham air crash have branded pilot Andrew Hill’s attempt to take to the skies again as an insult to the victims.
They say Mr Hill, whose 1950s Hawker Hunter went into a fireball on a dual carriageway in a failed stunt above an air show crowd in 2015, should never be allowed near the cockpit again.
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Families of those killed in the Shoreham air crash have branded Andrew Hill’s attempt to fly again an insult to the victims Credit: Mirrorpix
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The families say Mr Hill, above, should never be allowed near the cockpit again Credit: Doug Seeburg – The Sun
He is asking the Civil Aviation Administration to return his pilot’s license.
But Anthony Mallinson, whose father, retired engineer Graham, 72, was one of the 11 killed in the crash, said: “One would think, out of respect for all our loved ones who have been lost, he would just let this one go now and just draw the line under it We’re trying to draw a line under that.
“Why does it still expose us to stress and worries?
“To try and want to fly, knowing how the world sees him as a pilot and what happened, you’d think he’d want to go into a corner and not be heard from.”
Disaster struck on August 22, 2015, when Mr Hill, now 59, attempted a loop 200ft above the Shoreham airshow in West Sussex. Experts said it should have flown at 500 feet or more.
His old jet smashed into four pieces when it crashed on the A27, destroying eight vehicles on the dual carriageway.
The driver of the wedding limousine and two Worthing FC footballers were among the dead, while 16 people were injured.
Mr Hill, a former RAF instructor and BA pilot, was seriously injured when he ejected.
Four years later, he was acquitted of manslaughter after blaming the effects of G-force on his brain.
However, an eyewitness examination found that the victims were killed illegally.
Earlier this year, his request to review the investigative decision was rejected.
Now the makers of a TV documentary, Fatal Flight: Shoreham, have revealed that Cambridge-educated Mr Hill is trying to revive his flying career.
Relatives say he only prolongs their agony.
Anthony added: “We were shocked, but not completely surprised, knowing the kind of character he is.
“All of us, as a family member, feel strongly that his pilot’s license will never be reinstated out of respect for all of us, the families and all of our loved ones that we have lost.
“It shouldn’t be anywhere near the cockpit.”
The CAA is expected to make a decision early in the new year.
In the documentary, which will be available tomorrow on Discovery+, the families of the victims talk about the devastating effect of the accident.
Phil Grimstone, whose goalkeeper son Matthew, 23, died on the way to the game, said it had been a struggle to get justice.
He added: “This is the ninth Christmas without our loved ones, which is bloody hard because Matthew loved Christmas.
“Since then, Christmas has been cold. You know? We have a couple of grandchildren. So they help a lot.
“But it will never be the same again. We’re just waiting for January 2nd, really, and going all over again.”
Mr Hill, who lived near Sandon in Herts, has been approached for comment.
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A 1950s Hawker Hunter jet soars over the A27Credit: PA: Press Association
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The jet moments before exploding into a ball of fire on the dual carriageway Credit: PA: Press Association
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11 victims to die in horrific crashCredit: PA: Press Association
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