Shoreham air crash trial: Pilot could think of ‘no rational explanation’ for why he flew failed loop so badly, court hears

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The pilot whose jet crashed in a fireball on a dual carriageway after a failed loop at the Shoreham airshow could think of “no rational explanation” why he failed the fatal manoeuvre so badly, a court heard. Graphic shown to jury details Shoreham air crash which killed 11 people in 2015 In the statement, which was read to the jury, Mr Hill commented on how, about three seconds after beginning to climb at the start of the loop, the jet experienced a reduction in engine revs per minute. Mr Hill said: “I can’t think of any rational explanation for this.” open image in gallery Those who died in the Shoreham air show crash included: Graham Mallinson, Mark Trussler and Maurice Abrahams, Matthew Grimstone, Dylan Archer and Richard Smith, Tony Brightwell, Matt Jones and Mark Reeves. In relation to the whole failed loop, he added: “I cannot think of any reason why, if I was fully aware of what was going on, I would have flown the manoeuvre in the manner reported.” The prosecution maintains that Mr Hill made a “conscious decision” to commit to the loop when he was far too low, which was a “cardinal sin” for any pilot.