does anyone remember the Red Arrows plane crashing into the sea off Brighton?

[Dave the OAP]

back in the late 70's.

It was straight in front of us.

He was flying low and I think caught a mast of a yatch between the Piers and he ejected out and landed in the sea and the plane bellyflopped into the sea.

 

[Nibble]

Think I read this post before but no, never seen footage either. Aren't they tring to disband the Red Arrows?

 

[Exmouth Seagull]

Yes, I was there, it happened in a flash. Was dead lucky it didnt hit the Pier or the seafront, which were both absolutely packed. I was only about 12, went to watch with a friend from school called Edric, must have been late 70's. I think the pilot ejected just in time and was uninjured. Did they lift the jet out of the sea, or is it still under there?

 

[Ernest]

I was the pilot

 

[Gazwag]

I was the pilot

No change there then











Oh pilot, sorry thought you said pillock

 

[Heffle Gull]

Yep remember it well.

We just happened to be driving thru Brighton for some reason and stooped at the filling station that used to be on Marine Parade, just along from the pier when the crash happened.

we had a really good view of it.

 

[London Calling]

Yep, didn't Southern News have the footage.

LC

 

[Heffle Gull]

According to this site it was 17 May 1980.

There is also a picture of the pilot ejecting, whilst the plane is upside down

Crash bang wallop

 

[WATFORD zero]

I remember it. I was lying in bed with the windows open in a flat just off the seafront on a hot afternoon and heard a huge bang. I turned on the radio and the local radio (was it SCR back then ?) was reporting on it.

 

[surrey jim]

I was the pilot

needed a tried and tested pilot then??

 

[bailey]

Did they lift the jet out of the sea, or is it still under there?

They must have lifted it, would be a very popular local dive site otherwise! If they can they always salvage this kind of thing very quickly.

 

[surrey jim]

According to this site it was 17 May 1980.

There is also a picture of the pilot ejecting, whilst the plane is upside down

Crash bang wallop

 

[Col P]

sitting on the beach at the time very exciting to watch if I remember the plane pulled up at the last min to just miss a boat and only then did the pilot get out very brave

 

[Yorkie]

http://www.northstandchat.biz/showthread.php?threadid=85670&highlight=arrows

 

[Lord Bracknell]

 

[Dave the OAP]

http://www.northstandchat.biz/showthread.php?threadid=85670&highlight=arrows

thakyou for pointing that out

 

[Yorkie]

thakyou for pointing that out

Why the rolling eyes? I didn't say fixtures but thought the info on the other thread might be helpful.

 

[Deleted User X18H]

it was 17th May 1980 my mum took to great photosof seconds after the impact of the yacht mast she sent them to Steve Johnson the unlucky pilot after he appealed for anyone who had taken any to send them in he returned them with a autograph photo a nice letter and the Red Arrows official handbook again signed. I remember watching the plane crash in to the sea we were on the beach in between the piers a every one stood gasped and then utter silence broken my the remining eight planes flying in formation overhead and curtaling the show.

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

I was between the piers, happened real quick, did'nt realise at the time it had hit a boat. Seem to remember that they were doing that fly at each other and that spin away thing. Memories of rushing along to crash (sea) site.

Do you remember at the goldstone when they would fly over real low sometimes. I think it was a Bradford game when one let its blue smoke out as it passed over the game, always thought the away fans must have thought it happens every week.

 

[wigman]

i had a work mate who was in a boat and he said he was only yards from the incident.that used to be his claim to fame (sad bloke)