Navy Wings' Sea Fury crash at Yeovilton

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Adam
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Navy Wings' Sea Fury crash at Yeovilton

Post by Adam » Wed Apr 28, 2021 2:53 pm

Sounds like Navy Wings' Sea Fury T.20 VX281 has been involved in some kind of incident near Yeovilton this afternoon. Several witnesses on social media have claimed the aircraft either crashed on take-off or shortly afterwards. The aircraft is broken into several pieces and very badly damaged, but there are unofficial reports that the crew are fine, which I very much hope are correct.

VX281 was damanged in a forced landing at the Culdrose Air Day in 2014, returning to flight in 2018. I think it was one of just two airworthy Sea Furies in the UK until the other was involved in a seperate accident last August and suffered extensive damage. It was due to be one of the headline acts at the Shuttleworth Season Premiere Airshow this Sunday.
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Post by Adam » Wed Apr 28, 2021 3:04 pm

Aircraft very badly damaged, but both crew are fine.



A Navy Wings statement reads:
Navy Wings’ Sea Fury T.20 made a precautionary forced landing in a field next to RNAS Yeovilton following a problem with the engine on a routine training flight this afternoon. Both pilots are safe and well and have been taken to Yeovil district Hospital for a precautionary check-up. The cause is under investigation and both the CAA and Air Accident Investigation Branch have been informed. No further information is available at this time.
North Weald Heritage Aviation also released a statement. They are responsible for maintaining the aircraft, which only returned from North Weald to Yeovilton in the past few days.
News has started to circulate that the Sea Fury T.20 G-RNHF which is maintained by us and our sister company Weald Aviation Services ltd
has suffered an incident at her home base of RNAS Yeovilton. We can confirm that the aircraft had to make a forced landing following an engine issue just outside the boundaries of the base at roughly 14:15pm, and that both crew members on board are safe and have been taken to hospital as a precaution to ensure they have no serious injuries. We will of course co-operate fully with the relevant authorities if required, to ensure the causes of the accident are correctly investigated.
We are unable to provide any further details at this time, though if the situation enables, we will try to.
Last edited by Adam on Wed Apr 28, 2021 3:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by Flightline Uk » Fri Apr 30, 2021 10:22 am

https://navywings.org.uk/sea-fury-t-20-update/

Pilots Unhurt after Skilful Handling of Emergency Landing

Navy Wings Hawker Sea Fury T20 G-RNHF (VX281) was forced to conduct an emergency landing in a field close to RNAS Yeovilton earlier this week following a problem with the engine. Both pilots escaped injury but unfortunately the aircraft has been severely damaged.

The Sea Fury, which was on a routine training flight, suffered a significant drop in engine oil pressure shortly after taking-off and climbing away from the airfield. The pilots, both highly experienced former naval pilots, immediately carried out the appropriate drills and transmitted a PAN call.

They turned back and lined themselves up perfectly up for a precautionary landing on Runway 04. However, shortly before reaching the runway on close finals, the engine stopped, changing the speed and angle of glide of the approach dramatically, and they were forced to put the aircraft straight down into a field just outside the airfield boundary.

“The pilots’ skilful execution of an extremely hazardous situation was exemplary,” said Commodore Jock Alexander CEO of the Charity.

“We are all extremely relieved that they are safe and well. RNAS Yeovilton Air Traffic Control reacted immediately, and the Emergency Fire and Medical Services were very quickly on the scene. The support of the Air Station has been outstanding.”

The aircraft wings and engine detached during the impact and the fuselage rolled upside down but both pilots were able to escape unaided. They were taken to Yeovil hospital as a precautionary measure, and one was retained overnight for observation.

The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have been informed and investigations have begun into the causes of the accident.

“The Sea Fury is a classic and much-loved Fleet Air Arm aircraft, and the accident has been a shock to everyone in the Navy Wings community,” said Jock Alexander. “It is too early to say whether it is feasible to rebuild her and if she will ever fly again.”

The Charity’s Chief Engineer Jim Norris said “Great skill and calm was shown by everyone in the post-crash management team. We are grateful for the overwhelming support we have received. The aircraft will be recovered to the Navy Wings Heritage Hangar for the investigation.”

Although the Sea Fury T20 has been a favourite on the air show circuit, Navy Wings has worked hard in recent years to build greater resilience into the flying collection so that when the unexpected happens the Charity always has other aircraft that can continue to display to the public.

The Navy Wings collection also includes a Sea Fury single seat FB11, two Fairey Swordfish, the Sea Fury’s successor, a Sea Hawk and a growing number of other heritage aircraft, allowing these wonderful examples of our national aviation heritage to operate in the skies of the UK for many years to come.
Last edited by Flightline Uk on Fri Apr 30, 2021 10:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
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awal2049
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Post by awal2049 » Wed Jun 23, 2021 3:31 pm

Aircraft has been declared a write-off, as it would cost more money to repair that to buy one. Salvageable parts will be sold. Certainly not a surprise given the damage.

https://warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/ ... e-off.html
Last edited by awal2049 on Wed Jun 23, 2021 3:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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