Shocking moment Spitfire ‘practising for VE Day event’ crash lands in field as bystanders left stunned
THIS is the shocking moment a Spitfire crash landed in a field while “practising for a VE Day event”.
The 82-year-old World War II fighter aircraft made the emergency landing in a farmer’s crop field in West Hythe, Kent, at around 7pm yesterday.
Fire crews, paramedics, and police rushed to the crash site, with photos showing the historic Spitfire resting among the crops as emergency crews secured the area.
Miraculously, the pilot and passenger managed to walk away unhurt from the disaster.
However, the propellers at the front of the aircraft were visibly damaged in the crash.
One witness described the shocking scene, saying: “We were on our way home from shopping and saw another Spitfire circling, which we thought was unusual — maybe practising for a VE Day ceremony.
“We continued driving and then came across the plane that had just crash-landed.
“The pilot and passenger were luckily out of the aircraft.”
She explained that bystanders had helped to quickly raise the alarm with the local farmer, ensuring that the field as accessed quickly.
Witnesses also praised the pilot’s apparent skill in avoiding a more serious crash.
Firefighters confirmed they were called out to assist following the crash landing.
A spokesperson for the fire service said two fire engines attended and that crews “helped to make the scene safe”.
They added one person was passed into the care of paramedics from the South East Coast Ambulance Service, and that crews left the scene shortly after 9pm.
The Spitfire involved in the crash was a two-seat T9 trainer variant – originally a Mark IXc version built in 1943.
It had seen action with the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 441 Squadron, following its construction.
Operating under the RAF during World War II, its first operational deployment was on September 25, 1944.
Two days after this, it shot down a German ME 109 over Arnhem in The Netherlands during Operation Market Garden.
It is believed to have been practising on Saturday for a VE Day flypast when it crash landed.
The aircraft is operated by vintage aircraft flight experience company Fly a Spitfire, based at Biggin Hill near Bromley, south east London.
In a statement on its Facebook page and website, the firm said: “We are aware of an incident involving one of our Spitfire aircraft in the vicinity of Hythe.
“We have spoken to the pilot who has advised that a precautionary landing was made at a non-airfield site.
“The pilot and passenger are uninjured and at this stage we have no further information.”
It added that Spitfire flight operations will continue as planned.
Aviation authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the crash.
Volunteers have also been spotted trying to protect the aircraft, covering it in blue and grey tarpaulin.
VE Day, celebrated on May 8, marks the point at which World War II ended in Europe, with Nazi Germany signing an unconditional surrender.
There will be a procession and flypast in London, as the Armed Forces display aircraft over The Mall and Buckingham Palace on Monday.
The flypast is expected to take place at around 1.45pm and feature Lancaster bombers as well as a number of modern jets and the Red Arrows.
While Battle of Britain Memorial Spitfires will not be in London on Monday, they will be doing flypasts over Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, West Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.