The pilot died after the plane crashed into a house during a flight day in Cheb. One person suffered minor injuries. It was a Hawker Hurricane Mk.IV fighter from the Second World War, the last airworthy machine of this version in the world, as stated by Jiří Poór, spokesman for aviation day.
According to police spokeswoman Kateřina Pešková, the plane landed between houses and a local street in the Podhrady district at 3:30 p.m. Rescue services sent three vehicles and a helicopter to the scene. The pilot was fatally injured. One person was treated by paramedics at the scene.
After the accident, the organizers immediately stopped the event. “People are literally leaving the area in a coordinated manner. They are getting into cars or being taken away by buses,” said Jiří Poor, a spokesman for aviation day. Police and organizers are now investigating the circumstances and cause of the crash.
According to the organizers, the pilot of the historic plane was Czech. According to a spokesman, the Czech Republic’s Civil Aviation Authority may also deal with the tragic event. “The human loss is enormous, we are very sorry. Many people expressed sincere condolences on social networks, we are full of emotions. We are still finding out more details about the accident,” Poor said.
The Hawker Hurricane first appeared in service with the Royal Air Force in 1937 and flew in eighteen squadrons from the start of World War II. Noted for its role in the Battle of England, the Hurricane continued to see service in almost every battle during World War II.
The last flying machine in the Mk.IV version arrives at Cheb. in the world, reminiscent of Czechoslovak pilots in the RAF. The British fighter belongs to the Prague Točná Aviation Museum, whose website states that there are currently fewer than 15 airworthy aircraft of the 14,583 Hawker Hurricane aircraft originally produced, and one last in the Mk.IV version.
The plane, or rather the entire museum, is owned by the owner of the Seznam.cz portal Ivo Lukačovi, who is an aviation enthusiast and holds a pilot’s license. He commented on today’s event on Twitter. “The plane is alive and brings us so much joy. And Petr is alive and all is well. And why are these nice people leaving?” he wrote
My last meeting with Peter
It is necessary to inflate proper shock absorbers. Jirka and Petr worked all morning.
That is very fun.
The plane was alive and gave us so much joy. And Petr is alive and all is well.
And why did I throw away these good people? pic.twitter.com/AJcW1AsKOt
— Ivo Lukacovic (@ilblog) August 14, 2022
Accidents on air days or parades don’t happen very often, but they do happen from time to time. In some cases with tragic consequences.
In 2018, a replica of the historic plane crashed during a flight day at the airport near Strunkovice nad Blanicí in Prachaticko. The 72-year-old pilot died in the crash. In June 2016, an ultralight aircraft crashed at Nymburk airport during a flight day, killing both crew members.
A month later, a glider participating in a historic glider encounter crashed at the airport in Plasy na Pilsen, the pilot only escaping with a leg injury.
In July 2014, an aerobatics competition in Kroměříž was fatal for the pilot of a small plane, which caught fire after it crashed. In June 2006, a historic Tiger Moth biplane crashed at the European veterans exhibition in Hradec Králové, no one was injured.
In September 2005, the downing of the four-meter Sojka drone, which participated in the NATO Day parade in Mošnov, could also be avoided without consequences.
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