WWII Spitfire crashed at Biggin Hill. (Credits: Twitter @ KhurramFarooq)
A World War II Spitfire flying in Biggin Hill was forced today (1 August 2015) to make an emergency landing (read crash landing) after a sudden loss of power.
A statement from Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar Ltd, supporters club, said: “Spitfire MK912 this afternoon suffered a loss of power after take-off and forced landed back on the airfield. The aircraft is badly damaged but pilot Dan Griffith carried out a textbook forced landing and is OK.” However when looking to the images it would imply otherwise as pictures posted on social media platform “Twitter” reveal that one of the wings is almost tilted to 90 degrees into the air, whilst the Spitfire lays in the bushes near a metal fence.
The Spitfire is owned by Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, a commercial company based at Biggin Hill Airport in Kent and was flown by Pilot Dan Griffith. Although the Spitfire is badly damaged, Dan Griffith escaped with minor injuries. A spokesman from the London Ambulance Service said: “We treated one patient – a man in his 50s for shoulder and arm injuries. He was taken to King’s College Hospital.“
MkIXc Supermarine Spitfire MK912 has an illustrious history, including being a veteran of D-Day (Operation Overlord). It was delivered to the Royal Air Force (RAF) on 24th March 1944 at no. 8 MU, then moved to no. 84 Support Group at Aston Down, before joining 312 (Czech) squadron at Appledram in Sussex. Piloted by M.A. Liskutin, MK912 was was hit by German Anti-Aircraft in Normandy, June 1944. Afterwards MK912 also shot down a V1 over Maidstone.
Almost 2 weeks ago, on 19 July 2015, a Replica Spitfire made a gear-up landing after its landing gear would not come out.
