Former EasyJet pilot killed after plane ‘lost control’ in horror stunt crash

Colleagues of a "talented" pilot who died in a light aircraft crash over the weekend say they have been left with "a gap in our lives that can never be filled" following the tragic incident.

Angus Buchanan was killed in the incident at around 4.30pm on Sunday, May 9, on a field near Headcorn Aerodrome between Maidstone and Ashford in Kent.

It is understood the team was practicing for the upcoming air show season with the first performance planned for June at the Midlands Air Festival, KentLive reports.

Someone who witnessed the crash said the aircraft was one of three bi-planes being flown, adding it appeared to "have performed a stall turn and lost control".

Mr Buchanan was said to be an experienced stunt pilot and a member of the Stampe Formation display team, as well as a former pilot with EasyJet.

On Monday, May 10, the team paid tribute to their "very dear friend" in a statement.

It read: "It is with deepest sadness that we have to announce the death of Angus Buchanan yesterday.

"An active and long-standing display pilot with the Stampe Formation Team, Angus was an extremely experienced and talented aviator and engineer with many flying hours under his belt.

"We have all lost a very dear friend who leaves a gap in all of our lives that can never be filled and all of our thoughts are now with his family to whom we send our most sincere and deepest condolences."

  • Businesswoman 'tortured' by noise from pasty shop which leaves her flat 'shaking'

The team describes itself on its website as an air show act in the finest traditions of classical barnstorming aviation from the 1930s and 40s.

A profile for Angus Buchanan on Stampe's website says he got into flying after "gluing his fingers to many Airfix models, before graduating to towing balsa wood aircraft behind his bike…

"That was it until the birthday present of a trial flight many years later…

"Having learned to fly at Prestwick, with a long runway and "Airport Procedures", relocation to Headcorn and a chance encounter with the Tiger club was a culture shock…

"Building things hasn't been left behind. Angus is constructing his own aircraft, having bought 400 drawings and a tree 23 years ago – the "thing in the shed" is perilously close to flying, much to the relief of the most patient wife on earth."

A Facebook page for the Headcorn community also paid tribute after the accident: "Although individually we didn’t all know Angus Buchanan, collectively we feel we did.

  • Man and woman killed in horror car crash but child miraculously survives

"We have watched him and his Stampe friends display their skills above our heads for years. The joy they bring is palpable.

"Most of all each November they honour our Remembrance Day parade with a Poppy Drop that makes the ceremony even more moving than it already is.

"Our thoughts are with Angus’s family and friends and the entire Aerodrome team.

"We will feel his loss keenly, but none so much as them."

Source: Read Full Article

Previous post The Real Reason Lizzo Just Broke Down In Tears
Next post Italian towns are offering to PAY you to work there