iPhone app iPad app Android phone app Android tablet app More

Red Arrows Pilot Named As Death Leads RAF To Halt All But Essential Flying

Red Arrow

Huffington Post UK   First Posted: 09/11/11 11:57 GMT Updated: 09/11/11 13:07 GMT

Amazing
 Inspiring
 Funny
 Scary
 Hot
 Crazy
 Important
 Weird

The Red Arrows pilot who was killed after being ejected from his aircraft while on the ground has been named by the Ministry of Defence as Flight Lieutenant Sean Cunningham.

The pilot was killed after being ejected from his Hawk T1 while on the ground at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire on Tuesday morning.

The RAF has suspended all non-essential flying on aircraft with ejector seats of the type linked to the death.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "Pending further investigation and purely as a precautionary measure, all non-essential Royal Air Force flying on aircraft fitted with a similar ejector seat to the Hawk T1 has been temporarily suspended. The safety of our crews remains our paramount concern."

The suspension affects RAF aircraft fitted with Martin Baker Mk 10 ejection seats, which are the Tornado GR4, the Tucano and the Hawk.

FOLLOW HUFFPOST UK

The Red Arrows pilot who was killed after being ejected from his aircraft while on the ground has been named by the Ministry of Defence as Flight Lieutenant Sean Cunningham. The pilo...
The Red Arrows pilot who was killed after being ejected from his aircraft while on the ground has been named by the Ministry of Defence as Flight Lieutenant Sean Cunningham. The pilo...
Related News On Huffington Post:
 

 
 
  • Comments
  • 4
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Comments are closed for this entry
View All
Favorites
Recency  | 
Popularity
shanesps
7 Fans
11:25 AM on 11/10/2011
a tragic and one hopes accident as well as sympathy for the family, these guys are the best in the world at what they do and a second loss that these guys have endured in a short space of time RIP mate
Permalink  |
tripcony
45 Fans
10:35 AM on 11/10/2011
I am no aviation expert but this is the 1st time I have heard an ejector seat going off while on the ground by accident, I thnk this is sadly a ploy to ground RAF aircraft and manipulate a cut back in defence. I really do not want to say this but was it sabotage?..Because thats what came into my head first.
Permalink  |
nottyhorse
13 Fans
02:15 PM on 11/10/2011
This is a completely ridiculous and offensive suggestion. This HAS happened before as the ejector buttons are highly sensitive (and for a good reason). This was a desperately sad accident and that's what it was. I suppose you're full of all sorts of conspiracy theories, but this one oversteps the mark.
Permalink  |
tripcony
45 Fans
06:13 PM on 11/10/2011
Well you are entitled to your opinions as much as I as for this well I used to be trusting and take things at face value but I do not do that anymore and I would LOVE to be very wrong about my comment...but stranger things have happened, and I do not trust authorities anymore. This story could be the same ilk as Dr Kelly's death and also Nigel Farage plane on election time, one does not know. the world is a mirkier place these days...at any time and any place....peace
Permalink  |