A PILOT who died in a tragic Spitfire crash during a Battle of Britain event has been named.
Squadron Leader Mark Long was killed when the aircraft came down at 1.20pm on Saturday during a display at RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire.
It had been taking part in an airshow just nine miles from the base to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain when tragedy struck.
“Passionate” Typhoon pilot Mark had been with the Battle of Britain Memorial flighters for the last four years.
An investigation is being carried out into his death.
Captain Robbie Lees, Commander Display Air Wing this afternoon said: “It is with great sorrow that I must confirm the death of Squadron Leader Mark Long.
“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.
“An investigation into the cause of this tragic event has now begun.
“The RAF will not be offering any comment on the accident until that investigation has concluded, and likewise we ask others not to speculate.
“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.”
The legendary British fighter was owned by the RAF, which is now working with emergency services.
The Prince and Princess of Wales shared their condolences, saying they were “incredibly sad” to hear of the tragedy.
It has been described as a “tragic accident” by officials but an investigation has been opened into the cause.
Cops and ambulance crews scrambled to the scene and a rescue helicopter was seen in the area.
Sadly, it has since been confirmed that they were unable to save the plane’s occupant.
The pilot was flying solo and nobody else is believed to have been injured.
Motorists were urged to avoid the area and “find alternative routes” as the plane was cleared and the scene examined.
The MoD said: “It is with great sadness that we must confirm the death of an RAF pilot in a tragic accident near RAF Coningsby today.
“The pilot’s family has been informed and we ask that their privacy is respected at this time.”
Lincolnshire Police added: “We are sad to confirm that a man has died after a plane crashed into a field on Langrick Road in Coningsby.
“The man was the pilot and sole occupant of the aircraft. His next of kin have been informed.”
A spokesperson added: “Nobody else is thought to have been injured as a result.
“The incident was called into police just before 1.20pm today and emergency services were immediately dispatched to the scene.
“Sadly, the injuries the pilot sustained were not survivable and he was declared deceased at the scene.
The force probing the cause of the crash and is seeking any witnesses or footage.
Anyone who can provide information about the case should call 101 or quoting incident 221 of 25/5/24.
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.
The Battle of Britain, which lasted for several months between July and October of 1940, cemented its place in history as a turning point in the war.
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.
But eventually the Luftwaffe and Hitler’s designs on Britain were wrestled away from the Nazis after Britian won air superiority, in large part thanks to the legendary fighter plane.
