Update on the Incident at SMGWA

View/Download Full Press Release (PDF)

An air incident occurred at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome yesterday (Sunday 16 August 2026) at our Air Show. During a low-level flying display by The Turbulent Team, one of the aircraft became damaged and the pilot was injured.

We have been updated by Essex Police this morning about the condition of the pilot. He is in a London hospital and is receiving treatment for injuries that medical staff have described as "life changing but not life threatening". Further updates will be shared if and when appropriate.

Ian Flint, Chief Executive Officer of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, said:

"We join the whole aviation community in sending our very best wishes to the injured pilot, his family and the Turbulent Display Team.

"This was a distressing incident for everyone concerned. I want to personally extend my thanks to the staff and volunteers on site who performed with the utmost professionalism to put into practice the incident protocols which we update and test with live drills on a regular basis. Everyone reacted swiftly and calmly, including members of the public who were incredibly supportive during the incident and subsequent closure of the site.

"Our thanks go to onsite paramedics PF Ambulance, our own fire and airside crew and the North Weald Marshallers who were first on the scene, and to the Emergency Services who closely followed. We are also grateful to the young people of Maldon Detachment Army Cadet Force and 2531 (Woodham Ferrers) Squadron RAFAC, who acted in a mature and responsible manner to provide valuable operational support following the incident."

The Museum is expected to reopen to the public on Friday, but the site will not reopen to air traffic until the investigation by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has concluded and permission has been granted.