The Biggin Hill Invader crash was an accident involving a twin-engined

Douglas A-26 Invader The Douglas A-26 Invader (designated B-26 between 1948 and 1965) is an American twin-engined light bomber and ground attack aircraft. Built by Douglas Aircraft Company during World War II, the Invader also saw service during several major Col ...

aircraft which crashed during an airshow on 21 September 1980. The pilot and six passengers were killed, prompting the

Civil Aviation Authority A civil aviation authority (CAA) is a national or supranational statutory authority that oversees the regulation of civil aviation, including the maintenance of an aircraft register. Role Due to the inherent dangers in the use of flight vehicles, ...

to introduce rules preventing passengers from being carried during air displays.

Accident

During the Biggin Hill Battle of Britain airshow, the Invader made a fast run along the crowd line at then attempted to carry out either a barrel-roll or a wing over. When the aircraft was inverted the roll rate increased and it dived into the ground in the valley at the end of the runway. The pilot and the six passengers were killed.

Aircraft

The Douglas A-26 Invader was an American medium bomber built for the United States Army Air Force around 1943. It was sold after the war and was operated from England since the mid 1970s as a

warbird A warbird is any vintage military aircraft now operated by civilian organizations and individuals, or in some instances, by historic arms of military forces, such as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the RAAF Museum Historic Flight, or the ...

in USAAF markings as "322612", with the nickname "Double Trouble”.

References

{{coord missing, Kent Aviation accidents and incidents at air shows 1980 in England 1980 disasters in the United Kingdom Aviation accidents and incidents in 1980 Aviation accidents and incidents in Kent