Decades old debris likely caused fatal Spitfire crash that killed Royal Air Force pilot

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Decades old debris present inside a Spitfire “very likely” caused a fatal crash that killed a Royal Air Force pilot, an official inquiry has now concluded.

Squadron leader Mark Long, 43, was killed after his Spitfire crashed near RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire on May 25 2024 during a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) assignment.

The fatal crash took place at 1:16 pm during take-off, as Mr Long departed to execute a series of flypasts and an aerial display scheduled by the BBMF.

The aircraft involved was a Supermarine Spitfire MK356, built in early 1944 at the Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory in Birmingham, owned by the Morris Motors Company.

The report was issued by the Defence Safety Authority to “inform the military chain of command and the public of the findings of the inquiry and its recommendations to improve defence safety”.

Members of the service inquiry panel noted that “engine performance data and witness statements align with what would be expected if the aircraft was experiencing fuel starvation”.

The findings stated: “The panel concluded that it was very likely that debris in the carburettor partially blocked the lean metering jet.

“This blockage reduced fuel flow, resulting in an overly lean mixture, decreased engine power and ultimately reduced thrust, preventing Fighter 2 from maintaining the performance required for safe flight.

“The panel concluded that debris within the carburettor was very likely to be the causal factor that prevented the engine from producing the thrust required to maintain flight.”

Chemical analysis indicated that the material was “present for decades”, the inquiry found.

Inquiry findings also determined that the harness and pilot restraint structures were “critical in the survivability of the pilot”.

The inquiry noted the system was “very likely to have been an aggravating factor in the accident and design changes and modifications should be considered to enhance survivability”.

In a statement provided through the MoD, the family of Mr Long said: “Mark lived his life with an unwavering passion with laughter, love and dedication to his family.

“His talent for flying was there for all to see and his ability to connect to everyone he met was infectious. Mark will be cherished and deeply missed by us all.”

Originating from Bury St Edmunds, Mr Long completed initial officer training in 2003, according to the MoD.

He was sent to RAF Linton-on-Ouse to fly the Tucano, earning his “wings” in 2003.

Following advanced flying training on the Hawk, he served as an instructor before converting to the Harrier GR7/9, stationed at RAF Cottesmore.

Notably, he was the last RAF Harrier pilot qualified to conduct operations off an aircraft carrier.

In 2012, Mr Long joined the Typhoon Force at RAF Coningsby.

By 2016, he took on duties as the Typhoon display pilot, focusing on training student pilots to operate the jet.

The MoD stated that alongside teaching duties, Mr Long helped defend UK airspace on quick reaction alert missions in the UK, Falkland Islands and Baltic air policing in Lithuania.

At the time of the accident, he was serving his fourth season with the BBMF.

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