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Crash Threatens Red Arrows Biggin Hill Appearance.

Further to the collision between two Red Arrow display planes on a practice session in Crete, it has emerged that there is a possibility that the planes may not be licensed to make their traditional appearance at the Biggin Hill Air Fair this year.

The Red Arrows team must display their competence to the top brass in the RAF before they qualify for a Public Display Authority.  Without the PDA they cannot fly in any displays across the UK, which could disappoint thousands of people hoping to see them at Biggin Hill this year.  There have been Red Arrow accidents before, the most famous being when one of the jets crashed into and totally destroyed a house in Welton, Lincolnshire.  A failure to secure a PDA though would be an embarrassment to the current team as no team has ever failed in its attempt since the flying ace’s first display at Biggin Hill in 1965.

In this accident, it appears that two planes performing the dangerous crossover routine had clipped wings, sending one plummeting to the ground whilst the other was able to land safely despite suffering damage to its tail and rear wings.  The pilot of the doomed plane, Flight Lieutenant Mike Ling, was able to eject safely but suffered a dislocated shoulder and cuts.

The Red Arrows are based in RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire and are currently led by Squadron Leader Ben Murphy.  The current team is significant as it contains the first female Red Arrow, Flight Lieutenant Kirsty Moore.