WWII Spitfire plane crash lands in Kent field ahead of VE Day events
A rare Second World War-era Spitfire was forced to crash-land in a field in West Hythe on Saturday evening, just hours before VE Day commemorations were set to begin across the UK.
The vintage aircraft, a two-seater Spitfire MJ627, made what its operator described as a 'precautionary landing' in a crop field on Lower Wall Road, narrowly avoiding catastrophe.
Despite significant damage to the aircraft's propeller, the airframe remained intact, and both the pilot and passenger escaped unharmed.
The aircraft is owned by Fly a Spitfire, a vintage flight experience company based in the UK. In a statement, the company confirmed:
'We have spoken to the pilot, who advised that a precautionary landing was made at a non-airfield site. The pilot and passenger are uninjured.'
The aircraft lost power mid-flight, prompting the emergency descent. Emergency services, including Kent Fire and Rescue Service, were dispatched to the scene at 19:25 BST, deploying two fire engines to secure the area.
One of the two occupants was treated at the scene by paramedics as a precaution. Fire crews left the site around 9pm.
Spitfire MJ627 is no ordinary aircraft. It was delivered into service in September 1944, and famously shot down a Messerschmitt Me 109 just two days later during Operation Market Garden over Arnhem.
The aircraft has since become a living piece of aviation history, appearing in airshows and offering passenger flights.
This is not the first emergency for MJ627. In 1998, it made a 'wheels-up landing' at Coventry Airport, and in 2024, its cockpit canopy detached during take-off from Biggin Hill — though both incidents resulted in safe landings and no injuries.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has launched an inquiry into Saturday's incident to determine the exact cause of the power failure.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
07-05-2025
- Express Tribune
World War II-era ship sinks before US-Philippine forces can use in drills
Listen to article A World War II-era US Navy ship intended to be sunk in a live-fire military exercise by US and Philippine forces sank prematurely on Monday, slipping beneath the South China Sea before any missile or bomb could strike it. The ex-USS Brattleboro, which served in key Pacific battles more than 80 years ago, was to be the centrepiece target in the "Balikatan" joint drills currently underway off the coast of Luzon. 'The vessel was selected because it exceeded its service life and was no longer suitable for normal operations,'Philippine military officials said. 'Due to rough sea conditions that we are currently experiencing in the excercise box and with its long service life as it expected, she took on a significant amount of water and eventually sank,' said Philippine Navy spokesperson Capt. John Percie Alcos. He confirmed that the 184-foot ship, which was not damaged during towing, sank at 7:20 am local time. The Brattleboro had been selected for the drill's MARSTRIKE (maritime strike) phase because it was no longer operational. It was meant to be destroyed by a combination of US Marine Corps F/A-18 jets, anti-ship missiles, bombs, and cannon fire. Despite the vessel's early demise, the rest of the MARSTRIKE training will proceed, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said in a statement. 'The combined force will still achieve its training objectives,' the military said, The vessel had been thoroughly cleaned before deployment and posed no environmental risk, according to the Philippine military. The annual Balikatan exercise, running from April 21 to May 9, aims to strengthen cooperation and readiness between the US and Philippine armed forces amid rising tensions in the region. History of ex- USS Brattleboro The ex-USS "Brattleboro" met an unceremonious end on Monday, but its history spanned some of the most pivotal moments in 20th-century naval warfare. Commissioned as a submarine chaser during World War II, the ship played a key role in the battles of Leyte Gulf and Okinawa—two decisive American campaigns against Imperial Japan in 1944 and 1945, respectively. According to the US Naval History and Heritage Command, the vessel supported air defence and rescue operations during the Leyte invasion, evacuating over 400 wounded soldiers to hospital ships and downing a Japanese aircraft. Following additional combat operations near Palau and the Philippines, the Brattleboro joined the Okinawa campaign in spring 1945. There, it provided emergency treatment to more than 200 seriously injured personnel and rescued over 1,000 survivors from sunken vessels during the 91-day battle. Retired from US service in the 1960s, the ship was transferred to South Vietnam in 1966. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, it was handed over to the Philippine Navy and recommissioned in 1977 as the BRP Miguel Malvar, named after a Filipino revolutionary leader. The vessel remained in service until its decommissioning in 2021. Rising regional tension The scheduled sinking of the Brattleboro had been planned in waters facing the disputed Scarborough Shoal—an area closely patrolled by Chinese military and coast guard vessels. The Philippines also claims the shoal, located roughly 137 miles west of Zambales province. This year's Balikatan—meaning 'shoulder-to-shoulder' in Tagalog—involves over 14,000 troops from the US and the Philippines. The drills are intended as a robust test of the two nations' joint defence capabilities amid rising tensions in the South China Sea. Clashes between Chinese and Philippine vessels near the shoal have intensified in recent years, fuelling fears of broader military escalation. China continues to assert sweeping claims over the South China Sea, while forcefully opposing any US military involvement in the region.
Express Tribune
05-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Prince George, Charlotte and Louis appear with William and Kate at VE Day event
Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis made a rare joint appearance with their parents, Prince William and Princess Kate, on Monday, May 5, 2025, as the British royal family marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day—Victory in Europe Day. The family joined King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and other senior royals at the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace for a military procession commemorating the end of World War II in Europe. The royal siblings, last seen together at the Christmas Day service in Sandringham, surprised many with their unannounced attendance. They greeted veterans and observed the parade alongside their parents, pausing to interact with guests before settling into their seats. Princess Charlotte, who had just turned 10 on May 2, shared a lighthearted moment with 7-year-old Prince Louis, who grinned widely, revealing his gap-toothed smile. They were joined by Prince Edward, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, and Prince Edward, Duke of Kent. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester represented the monarchy abroad at a VE Day commemoration in Denmark. King Charles took the salute from over 1,300 members of the Armed Forces who participated in the parade. Following the ceremony, the royal family gathered to watch a flypast of Royal Air Force aircraft from the palace balcony. Later in the day, King Charles and Queen Camilla were scheduled to host a tea party for World War II veterans and their families at the palace. Prince William and Princess Kate were also expected to attend the reception, though without their children. The VE Day commemoration reflects the royal family's long-standing commitment to honoring military service. The royals will continue the tributes throughout the week, culminating in a national Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey on May 8.
Express Tribune
05-05-2025
- Express Tribune
WWII Spitfire plane crash lands in Kent field ahead of VE Day events
A rare Second World War-era Spitfire was forced to crash-land in a field in West Hythe on Saturday evening, just hours before VE Day commemorations were set to begin across the UK. The vintage aircraft, a two-seater Spitfire MJ627, made what its operator described as a 'precautionary landing' in a crop field on Lower Wall Road, narrowly avoiding catastrophe. Despite significant damage to the aircraft's propeller, the airframe remained intact, and both the pilot and passenger escaped unharmed. The aircraft is owned by Fly a Spitfire, a vintage flight experience company based in the UK. In a statement, the company confirmed: 'We have spoken to the pilot, who advised that a precautionary landing was made at a non-airfield site. The pilot and passenger are uninjured.' The aircraft lost power mid-flight, prompting the emergency descent. Emergency services, including Kent Fire and Rescue Service, were dispatched to the scene at 19:25 BST, deploying two fire engines to secure the area. One of the two occupants was treated at the scene by paramedics as a precaution. Fire crews left the site around 9pm. Spitfire MJ627 is no ordinary aircraft. It was delivered into service in September 1944, and famously shot down a Messerschmitt Me 109 just two days later during Operation Market Garden over Arnhem. The aircraft has since become a living piece of aviation history, appearing in airshows and offering passenger flights. This is not the first emergency for MJ627. In 1998, it made a 'wheels-up landing' at Coventry Airport, and in 2024, its cockpit canopy detached during take-off from Biggin Hill — though both incidents resulted in safe landings and no injuries. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has launched an inquiry into Saturday's incident to determine the exact cause of the power failure.
