Saturday, December 05, 2015

NOSTALGIA: Pilots parachute back to earth after collision

In March 1968 two Royal Air Force jets collided over Guiting Power, both pilots ejected to safety.



The quiet peace of the Cotswolds was shattered when two jet aircraft collided over the village of Guiting Power, the Wilts and Glos Standard reported in March 1968.

Two Royal Air Force pilots flying the jet Provost aircraft from the Central Flying School, Little Rissington, ejected to safety.

Four aircraft had been flying in close formation on a training exercise when it is believed two wingtips touched, causing one of the planes to crash less than a quarter of a mile from the village.

“At exactly 8:20 am on Monday morning, the quiet peace of the Cotswolds was shattered by an explosion after one of the jets had plummeted to earth,” the report stated.

The two occupants of the crashed jet, Flt-Lt. Derek Smith (30) and a student instructor Flying Officer John Pye (29) immediately ejected from their cockpit and parachuted to safety landing in nearby fields.

The aircraft had been flying at up to 10,000 ft when the accident occurred and an Royal Air Force spokesman said it was thought that people in the village of Guiting may find parts of the aircraft structure.
   
The Standard wrote: “He appealed for them to hand in any parts found to the police.”

A Board of Inquiry was set up to investigate.

Source: http://www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk

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