Oxfordshire Spitfire pilot – Inquest set for pilot who died in crash

Peter Hughes, 71, died as his plane crashed and burned during take-off at Enstone Airfield near Chipping Norton in July 2024.

It was the second fatal crash involving a replica Spitfire at the former Second World War base, following the death of pilot Trevor Bailey, 68, the previous summer.

The incident involving Mr Hughes happened on July 28 2024 at the West Oxfordshire airfield with an air ambulance doctor verifying the death at 2.43pm on the day of the crash.

According to the subsequent inquest, the pilot’s medical cause of death was given as “burns and inhalation of products of combustion”.

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Peter Hughes (Image: TVP)

A jury inquest will take place on May 12 at 10am at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court.

When Mr Hughes died, his family said: “Pete was a loving husband, father, Poppa and brother.

“He had an adoring family and many, many friends who loved and respected him.

“Pete was an extremely good man who was deeply generous in so many ways; his love, his time, energy and spirit, and was an integral part of the numerous communities that he held dear.

“We are all devastated and he will be sorely, sorely missed.”

Another tribute said: “Pete was an extraordinarily energetic man, who loved helping and getting the very best from people who knew him, always with such humour, and his twinkly smile.

“Our hearts go out to his family who will struggle with their huge loss, as he was such a doting family man who adored them all.

“He will be missed by so many.”

Another said: “Such a shame.”

“Pete Hughes was a very experienced pilot and a true gentleman,” said Trevor Hyde.

“He will be greatly missed.

“He was involved in the Enstone Spitfire project from the very early days and was always a source of wise advice backed by years of experience and good humour.”

Last year a report from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) concluded “there was no evidence of a malfunction or failure of any of the aircraft’s flying control systems that would explain a loss of control”.

The report suggested that it was possible that Mr Hughes had not controlled the yaw (the side-to-side movement of an aircraft) as during the take-off run he “initiated a rapid pitch up to lift off before running off the side of the runway”.

Equally, it did not rule out some form of health factor or incapacitation of the pilot, “although the medical evidence did not permit a definitive conclusion”.