Spitfire crash victim named as pilot Mark Long
The RAF has identified the pilot who died in a Spitfire crash in a Lincolnshire field as Squadron Leader Mark Long. Emergency crews responded to the crash site near RAF Coningsby shortly before 13:20 BST on Saturday.
The Spitfire, a World War Two-era fighter, was part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) based at the station. In a statement, the RAF described Squadron Leader Long as “a great friend, colleague and a passionate, professional aviator.”
Group Captain Robbie Lees, commander of the RAF’s Display Air Wing, led the tributes, stating: “Mark was a Typhoon pilot here at RAF Coningsby and for the last four years he has flown with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.”
Group Captain Lees mentioned that an investigation into the “tragic event” is underway. He expressed gratitude to the RAF personnel and emergency services for their swift response and extended deepest sympathies to Squadron Leader Long’s family and friends, requesting privacy for them during this difficult time.
The Prince and Princess of Wales also paid tribute, expressing their sadness and extending their thoughts to the pilot’s family, the BBMF, and the wider RAF community.
BBMF operates six Spitfires, two Hurricanes, a Lancaster, a C47 Dakota, and two Chipmunk aircraft used for training. The aircraft are flown by regular RAF aircrew.
According to Wally Epton, a retired RAF squadron leader and chairman of the Historic Aircraft Association (HAA), this was the first fatality involving a BBMF aircraft since its creation in July 1957.
Mr Epton, who flew Spitfires for BBMF from 1972 to 1974, said the aviation community would await the outcome of the investigation into the crash.
Sharing his knowledge of BBMF’s fleet, he added: “They are probably the best-maintained aircraft in the world. The standard is very high indeed.
“The Spitfire is an exceptionally safe airplane.”
Mr Epton said HAA wished to extend its condolences to the family and friends of the dead pilot.
Allan Winn, chairman of Aviation Heritage UK, the national body for the preservation of aviation-related items, is a former editor of Flight International magazine and said: “The loss of a pilot and a historic airframe is a terrible thing.
“Our thoughts go out to his family and team mates. BBMF is a very close-knit organization.”
Mr Winn echoed Mr Epton’s thoughts on BBMF’s safety record.
“It’s exemplary,” he said.
