BREAKING: Shoreham Airshow disaster pilot Andy Hill grounded as appeal to get flying licence back rejected

Shoreham Airshow disaster pilot Andy Hill has been grounded despite a bid to reclaim his flying licence.

The Civil Aviation Authority today confirmed the ex-BA airman - who was piloting a Hunter Hawker jet when it crashed and killed 11 men - had lost an appeal to reinstate his private and commercial flying licences.

In a statement the CAA said: “Following a public hearing on a challenge by Andrew Hill to a UK Civil Aviation Authority proposal to revoke his pilot and flight radio telephony licences, the Civil Aviation Authority’s decision panel has confirmed that proposal and Andrew Hill’s licences will now formally be revoked.

“Following the crash at the Shoreham Airshow in 2015 in which 11 people died, Andrew Hill’s licences were suspended, and he has been unable to fly in the UK since then.

“The thoughts of everyone at the UK Civil Aviation Authority remain with those affected by the tragic crash.”

Caroline and Bob Schilt lost their son Jacob, 23, in the disaster. Caroline, 64, said: “Finally, we can have some peace after nearly ten years since the terrible loss of our son Jacob, at the hands of Andrew Hill.

“The CAA have robustly and emphatically stood by their decision to revoke all his licences.

“Having witnessed his appeal hearing in London, we are convinced that he is not of fit character to be allowed to fly.

“Hill tried to express remorse at this final appeal hearing but he failed to convince us that this was about anything other than trying to retrieve his licences.

“We are so relieved that this agonising period of uncertainty is over and we hope that he will finally accept responsibility for the events of August 22 2015 and leave us to grieve peacefully at last.”

Jacob’s friend Matt Grimstone, also 23, was sitting next to him as they drove themselves to play for Worthing Utd.

His parents Phil and Sue said: “We are delighted the panel have reached this decision but it is the one we hoped for.

“It would be inconceivable for Hill to be given the right to fly again given his cognitive impaired stance.

“It must never happen.

“The fact he continues to pursue the possibility merely emphasises his complete disregard for the feelings of the families.”

Hill's jet ploughed into the A27 on August 22 2015 as he attempted a loop manoeuvre 200ft above the Shoreham air show in West Sussex. Experts said he should have been flying at 500ft or above.

His vintage jet broke into four parts as it crashed, destroying eight vehicles on the dual carriageway.

He survived after being thrown clear but spent a week in an induced coma. In 2022, a coroner ruled all 11 who died were unlawfully killed and blamed Hill's poor flying.

Two years earlier his trial at the Old Bailey on charges of gross negligence manslaughter heard he had been flying too low - and his stunt at an airshow the year before had been halted over a dangerous manoeuvre.

However, the jury acquitted him of 11 counts of manslaughter after hearing he was cognitively impaired during the flight.