Andrew Hill Faces 12 Counts Related To The Accident

Pilot Andrew Hill, who was flying a Hawker Hunter jet that went down during a performance three years ago at the Shoreham Air Shore has been charged with 11 counts of gross negligent manslaughter and one count of endangering an aircraft related to the accident.

The U.K. newspaper The Daily Mail reports that prosecutors announced the charges Wednesday night. Hill is scheduled to appear in Westminster Magistrates' Court on April 19.

Hill had attempted a loop maneuver during the show in the jet, which was manufactured in 1955, during the show in 2015. The U.K. Air Accident Investigation Branch listed the cause of the accident, which fatally injured 11 people on the ground, as pilot error.

In bringing the charges, the Simon Ringrose of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it "has considered a full file of evidence received from Sussex Police in relation to the deaths of 11 men at the Shoreham Air Show in 2015.

"At approximately 1.20pm on 22 August 2015, a Hawker Hunter aircraft piloted by Andrew Hill attempted to perform a loop maneuver as part of an aerobatic display.

"The aircraft failed to complete the maneuver and crashed onto the A27 dual carriageway. Eleven men who were either in vehicles on the carriageway or standing by the roadside were killed in the incident. Mr Hill was thrown clear of the aircraft and although seriously injured he survived.

"Sussex Police conducted a thorough and detailed investigation into the incident and in November 2017 submitted a full file of evidence to the CPS in relation to the actions of the pilot, Andrew Hill.

"In accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, I have considered whether there is sufficient evidence to charge Mr Hill with any offence and if so whether it is in the public interest to do so.

"Following a careful review of the evidence I have found there is sufficient evidence to charge Andrew Hill with the manslaughter by gross negligence of the 11 men who died. I have also authorised a further charge against Mr Hill of endangering an aircraft, contrary to Article 137 of the Air Navigation Order 2009," Ringrose said.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original report