RAF pilot killed in Spitfire crash told how he was in his 'dream job' (2024)

The pilot killed in a Spitfire crash during a Battle of Britain memorial show had told how he set his heart on a career in the RAF as a seventeen-year-old boy - recalling: 'That appeals as a job!'

Squadron Leader Mark Long tragically died when his Spitfire plane crashed a few minutes after taking off from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire on Saturday afternoon.

There has been an outpouring of grief from vintage aircraft fanatics, many coming from across the county and further afield to pay respects to the pilot described as 'passionate and professional.'

The married father-of-two had told how he got the bug for flying from frequent family trips, starting when he was aged just five, to both Duxford and Mildenhall Airshows in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk.

In an interview with aerospace and defence giant BAE Systmes in 2016 he said: 'My family used to take me to airshows so my first interests were Lightning and Vulcan displays and I thought, 'That appeals as a job'.

'When I was 17 I went to a careers office and said, 'I want to be a pilot in the Air Force.'

'Twelve years later, I found myself sat in the co*ckpit of a Typhoon. It really is like a dream come true for me.'

The pilot, who lived in Lincolnshire with his wife and two daughters, was taking part in an airshow nine miles away from the base to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain - a show he was due to take over next year.

The Spitfire belonged to Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), which are based at the station.

The doomed pilot, previously detailing his career path, said: 'I was fortunate enough to get a university sponsorship (through an RAF bursary at the University of Warwick).

'I went to university to study economics, almost as a back-up in case I wasn't eligible to join the RAF and become a fast jet pilot.

'From there I joined Initial Officer Training in 2003 and then went to fly the Tucano, where you get your wings, and from there on to the Hawk in 2005.

'I was fortunate enough to stay on Anglesey for a few years (with 208(R) Sqn) as an instructor.

'I then moved on to the Harrier with 1(F) Sqn at RAF Cottismore for a couple of years and then on to Typhoon in 2012 with 11 Sqn at RAF Coningsby.'

At that stage his primary role was to teach student pilots how to operate Typhoon. He also been involved in Quick Reaction Alert responsibilities in both the UK and South Atlantic.

He recalled: 'Any exercises are really enjoyable to go on and are thoroughly rewarding.

'My involvement in the displays stems from my background as a five-year-old watching the displays.'

The RAF has paid tribute to the Typhoon pilot in a touching statement, describing him as 'a great friend, colleague and a passionate, professional aviator' who will be 'sorely missed'.

Tributes for Squadron Leader Long have also come from the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader and the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Victoria Atkins, the Conservative MP for Louth and Horncastle, wrote on Facebook: 'I am very sorry to hear the tragic news that an RAF pilot has died in the crash of a Spitfire near RAF Coningsby. My thoughts and prayers are with the pilot's loved ones, friends and the RAF family.'

The Spitfire concerned was a Mk IX, Serial No MK356, which spent 16 years as the Hawkinge Gate Guardian Spitfire from 1945-December 1961.

Plane fan Nicki Housam, laying flowers at the RAF Coningsby, said: 'We are deeply affected by the loss of a pilot and the loss of an historic warbird.'

The tearful former prisoner officer, 53, told MailOnline: 'Everyone in Lincolnshire has the utmost respect for the RAF and we have grown up with our skies being full of aviation

'The Spitfire is the greatest war plane and everyone watches when its is flying overhead and we feel our hearts beating to what it bring to our county. I believe the Spitfire didn't win the war, but it didn't lose it.'

'Sadly and tragically, now she is also a memorial to another lost pilot.'

Ms Housam from nearby Woodhall Spa, accompanied by construction manager partner Andy George, told how he had treated her for her birthday in March to tour of the hangar at the airbase.

She explained: 'We saw all the historic planes, including the Spitfire that sadly went down, and we have pictures of out memorable visit.

'We didn't meet pilots, just the engineers, and it was wonderful to look around. It was the best birthday treat!'

Another well wisher, laying flowers against the RAF wired fence which has become a makeshift shrine to the pilot, said: 'We were at a 1940's dance at East Kirkby air museum on Saturday night.

'Half way through the event it as announced on the tannoy that there had been a tragedy at RAF Coningsby involving a pilot in his Spitfire. At the time we weren't told it was fatal.'

The man from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, who declined to be named, added: 'We then joined in a two minute silence.'

The flying and World War 2 enthusiast said: 'We were in the area for the weekend and had to come to the site to pay our respects when we later heard he had died.

'It is a tragedy that a highly skilled pilot, doing what he loved best and flying an old, historic aircraft for the joy of others has died in this way.

'It is a great loss.'

Polish Agnieszka Zebra, who runs a plane spotting supporters group in Coningsby, said: 'Everyone is devastated by what happened and I wanted to come to pay my respects and lay some flowers.

'When we heard about the crash, and it being fatal, we suspended posts on out online group.

'We didn't want the pilot's family and friends fining out anything from us on social media.'

She added: 'I am paying my respects today, not only for the pilot and family, but the whole aircraft-loving community who come to visit this historic place.

'People come from all across the country, from Scotland and Wales, and other parts to see the history and heritage at the RAF base and museum.

'This is a very sad loss for so many people.'

Among the growing sea of heartfelt tributes is one stating: 'RIP Fighter 2. You will be sadly missed by us all, thank you with all the entertainment abd interaction with is since 2016!

'A legend of a pilot.'

'Departing this earth doing what you loved so much.

'Rest easy, blue skies, fly high.'

From all of us at RAF Cgy & UK Spotters Group & Dakota Park.'

The RAF grounded the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) planes afterSquadron Leader Long died.

The RAF said they have taken the decision to ground BBMF aircraft - which operates six Spitfires, two Hurricanes, a Lancaster, a C47 Dakota, and two Chipmunk aircraft - while investigations into the crash take place.

A spokesperson said: 'Following the tragic accident at RAF Coningsby, and while the formal investigation is ongoing, the RAF has instigated a temporary pause in flying for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF).'

The RAF also paid tributes to the father-of-two in a touching statement, describing him as'a great friend, colleague and a passionate, professional aviator' who will be 'sorely missed'.

The Typhoon pilot took to Instagram just weeks before the memorial show to share his excitement.

In a post dated March 4, theSquadron Leader shared videos of Hurricane and Spitfire airplanes in flight with the caption:

'We are only a few weeks away from getting back flying in these iconic aircraft. Cannot wait!!!'

In a post dated March 4, theSquadron Leader shared videos of Hurricane and Spitfire airplanes in flight with the caption:'We are only a few weeks away from getting back flying in these iconic aircraft. Cannot wait!!!'

In an older post, the experienced pilot shared a video explaining why they have to be careful about the conditions they fly the vintage aircrafts in.

'We have landed here with the Hurricane and Spitfire ready for react later this afternoon. The reason we landed in Gloucester is actually for cross winds.

'I'll show you around the aircraft and you will see what we are operating and why we are so precious about how we pick our winds, surface and flying conditions.'

From under the Hurricane, Long said: 'What a lovely summer we are having right now as temperatures are soaring. The unique element of the Hurricane is that it gets really hot inside but it actually does quite well at keeping itself cool,

'So you have got the massive propeller at the front of the 17-litre Merlin engine but that on the ground forces the air through the radiator'.

Leading tributes to the pilot yesterday, Gp Capt Robbie Lees, commander of the RAF's Display Air Wing, said: 'Mark was a Typhoon pilot here at RAF Coningsby and for the last four years he has been a pilot with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

'A great friend, colleague, and a passionate, professional aviator he will be sorely missed by all that knew him.'

He said an investigation into the cause of the 'tragic event' was now underway.

'I would like to extend a sincere thank you to the RAF personnel, and our emergency services colleagues who responded so swiftly yesterday.

'Our thoughts remain with Mark's family and friends to whom we offer our deepest sympathies. We ask that their privacy be respected at this tragic and shocking time.'

This was the first fatality involving a BBMF aircraft since its creation in July 1957, a retired RAF leader told the BBC.

BBMF operates six Spitfires, two Hurricanes, a Lancaster, a C47 Dakota, and two Chipmunk aircraft.

The pilot qualified to fly Spitfires in 2021 and was lined up to take over running the BBMF next year.

His most recent RAF posting was as a flight commander flying Eurofighter Typhoons.

He joined the Air Force in 2003, having graduated from the University of Warwick.

During his career, Sqn Ldr Long was posted to 11 Squadron at Coningsby, deploying to the Baltics and the South Atlantic.

A spectator who witnessed the horrific moment the Spitfire plane nose-dived to the ground, killing the pilot instantly, said: 'Sadly he didn't stand a chance.'

The former RAF air craftsman, speaking after the death of the experienced and respected flier during a Battle of Britain event, said: 'I've seen a lot of terrible things in my life but this is up there with the worst.'

Mark, who declined to be fully named, saw the horror unfold as he was plane spotting with his partner and her RAF fan 10-year-old son from a car park overlooking the base.

Recalling the tragedy, he said: 'There was an event going on and I saw a Spitfire taking off and flying at about 300 feet towards East Kirkby.

'It was in the distance and suddenly it turned round and was coming back to base. It was swaying and swaying from one side to the other. He would have known there was a problem with the craft and it was awful to watch.

'The pilot would have realised there was a fault and was coming back to try and land safely but suddenly it just plummeted from about 150 feet.

'It just nose-dived, sadly the pilot didn't stand a chance. The way it went down so quickly and people were watching from the car park in horror and disbelief.

'I was hoping it would be a different outcome but I knew there was no surviving that.

'I was there with my partner and her son, who was beside himself with sadness, like many of us. It was devastating to watch.

'You just don't expect something like this to happen .'

Tony, speaking yesterday as he lay flowers at the much loved RAF base along with dozens of air enthusiasts and supporters, added: 'A Hurricane was going to take off after the Spitfire but his flight was aborted.'

He said the pilot 'must have known there was a problem and he was in difficulty' and would have raised the alarm, saying: 'He would have radio called because in less than a minute the fire service and ambulances were there.

'The whole episode from take off to crash probably only lasted two and a half minutes.

'It is too difficult to estimate the speed.'

'I couldn't clearly see the spot it came down but pictures show it was right beside a house and a tractor so no doubt other people witnessed it too. It is a terrible tragedy.'

The man, who lives locally, told how he often took his step son to watch the planes in action at the airfield.

He paid warm tribute to the pilot as a 'remarkable and wonderful man' and thrilled children with his 'pep talks.'

He recalled: 'At the end of a flight Mark would always make a point of coming up to the big wire fence and give the kids a pep talk through it.

'He'd still be in his uniform, and he'd still have his flight maps pinned to his trousers, above the knees and would pass them to the children through the fence.

'I didn't know him personally but I knew him by reputation as a great pilot and a remarkable and wonderful man.

'He always made time to speak to people so I had to come here today to pay my respects.

'He told the kids that it was dream to become a pilot but he had failed four or five times.

'His message to them was never to give up and that you can always live your dream.

'It is such a terrible tragedy that it was to end in this way for him.'

The Spitfire came down at around 1.20pm on Saturday during a display at RAF Coningsby.

Photos from the scene show emergency services gathered around the wreckage of the plane just feet away from a house.

It had been taking part in a civilian airshow just nine miles from the base to commemorate the RAF's role in fending off German attacks during the Second World War

This year represents the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have shared their condolences, saying they were 'incredibly sad' to hear of the tragedy.

Kate and William, who himself served as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot, said in a joint statement that it was 'incredibly sad to hear of the news' and added that their 'thoughts this evening are with the pilot's loved ones, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and the wider RAF family.'

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wrote on X: 'Awful news to see the life of a serving RAF pilot cut short in this tragic event. My thoughts are with their family and loved ones.'

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was 'deeply saddened' by the news, and thanked the emergency services for their response, adding 'my thoughts are with the pilot's family at this awful time.'

The crash has been described as a 'tragic accident' by officials but an investigation has been opened into the cause.

Police and ambulance crews raced to the scene and a rescue helicopter was scrambled from neighbouring Humberside.

A statement from the Ministry of Defence stated: 'It is with great sadness that we must confirm the death of an RAF pilot in a tragic accident near RAF Coningsby today [Saturday].

'The pilot's family has been informed and we ask that their privacy is respected at this time.'

Spitfires played a crucial role in the war, especially during the Battle of Britain which earned the plane's power status.

Designed as a short-range, high-performance plane, over 20,300 Spitfires were built to secure British success during WW2.

It proved to be a watershed moment for the Nazis' territorial aims as they then shifted their focus to conquering Britain.

Aware of the resilience of the RAF, German aircrafts bombarded British airfield bases until the autumn of 1940.