Thunder City English Electric Lightning T.5 ZU-BEX
HEADLINES (discontinued) Lightning crashes during display
Jocelyn Dell
Image ID: 69712
Views: 23968
Operator: Thunder City - ZU-BEX
Aircraft: English Electric - Lightning T.5
Airport: South Africa - Overberg (OVG / FAOB)
Category: Main database
Photo taken on 2007-11-10 by Elmarié Dreyer [Contact]
EXIF information is not available.
Photographer's remark
(15.11.2009, 21:25 CET)
An English Electric Lightning T5 (ex RAF XS451) crashed at the biannual Overberg Airshow held near Bredasdorp, South Africa on Saturday, 14 November 2009. The aircraft belonged to the privately owned company, Thunder City, who owns the only flying Lightnings in the world.
The airplane took of at approximately 12h15 for a display and left the display box after experiencing hydraulic problems with the aircraft. It flew over the ocean to burn off fuel in an attemt to make an emergency landing at the airfield. Firefighting trucks were on standby along the runway and a safety net for catching the airplane was also erected at the end of the runway should it overshoot the runway in attemp to land safely. The plane crashed at ± 12h25 while returning to the airfield. The crash site is approximately 10km from the runway.
The South African Air Force immediately sent out Oryx and Augusta 109 helicopters to the scene. Reports received indicated that the pilot made distress calls that he was unable to eject from the aircraft.
The airshow was stopped immediately and decisions had to be made whether to continue with the show or not. The show commenced at 15:00. None of the other aircraft of Thunder City took part in the rest of the afternoon's display programme.
The pilot, Dave Stock (46) died as a result of the accident. He was an ex South African Air Force test pilot who flew the Mirage F1, Denel Cheetah and Atlas Impala jets. He was one of the best pilots in South Africa with more than 15 000 flying hours behind his name. Dave will sadly be missed by the South African aviation community.
A lucky spectator at the airshow was suppose the take a flight in a Lightning later the afternoon.
The Silver Falcon Aerobatic Display Team of the South African Air Force concluded the airshow with the "Missing Man" formation in memory of Dave Stock.
The incident is currently under investigation and feedback will be provided when a statement has been issued.
1 Jacques Viljoen
(15 November 2009 - 22:46 CET)
Very sad RIP and condolences to familie and friends.A true pro and loved what he did,what
a loss! May god bless his soul!
2 Colin Harrison
(16 November 2009 - 08:16 CET)
What a tragedy - Dave Stock was a charming man and a gifted pilot - sincere condolences to
his family & all at Thunder City.
3 toady
(16 November 2009 - 10:13 CET)
A great loss for South Africa, Family and Friends. May God keep you and your family @peace
4 Mike Davies
(16 November 2009 - 10:38 CET)
What a sad end to both Dave and the Lightning. Life is very short and this once again
highlights the need to "do the things in life that are important to us " and more
importantly to love and treasure the people we close to
All strength to the family and
loved ones .
5 Gustav
(16 November 2009 - 13:52 CET)
Dave paid the ultimate price in bringing us, aviation enthusiast, the joys of seeing these
aircraft fly! The Lightning was always the highlight of every airshow I have been to and
Saturday was a sad and shocking experience and one got to realise the great risk these
pilots take! My condolences goes to all his family and friends. Know that he brought big
smiles to millions of spectators over the years and he will be greatly missed!
6 ex-Binbrook
(17 November 2009 - 01:37 CET)
So very sad. The loss of the pilot and the aircraft are incalculable. A magnificent pilot,
a magnificent man and a magnificent chariot. Sadly, all irreplaceable. However, to keep
perspective, this is the risk we all take when flying at extremes, especially in old
aircraft, especially when racking up this number of hours. Its Russian Roulette every time
with a 100 round chamber. However one is always loaded.
I flew this plane out of
Binbrook. I was so happy it was brought back to life and flown. We all lost a little bot
of ourselves on the 14th November
7 Trevor MacDonald Bennett
(17 November 2009 - 10:23 CET)
I flew XS451 several times during my time instructing on the Lightning OCU at RAF
Coltishall. A truly tragic loss. However I am certain that the last thing Dave would wish
is for the cessation of this wonderful historic flying which he loved so much, and gives
enormous pleasure and respect to aviation enthusiasts worldwide.
My sincere condolences
to all his family and friends.
8 Boy Louw - Dubai
(18 November 2009 - 07:59 CET)
A sad day for all of us... I had the privelege to be part of the team that brought the 4
lightnings to South Africa. I agree with Trevor that we are confident that Dave would want
to see this incredible aircraft continue to fly; however the importance and focus now is
to establish the real cause and should be careful of over speculation... our sincere
condolences to Dave's family and all those involved with TC.
9 John Gilder
(18 November 2009 - 22:12 CET)
Absolutely terrible news. Although I was never fortunate enough to meet Dave, he flew in
BEX with my close friend, the late Brian Carroll,several years ago, who at the age of 71,
flew the Lightning (BEX) for the first time in over twenty years. I have informed Brians
widow, Jean, who I remain in contact with, and she was simply devastated.
My most
sincere condolences to all of Daves family, and indeed his friends at Thunder City. John.
10 EDreyer
(20 November 2009 - 08:32 CET)
The memorial service for Dave Stock will be held on Saturday, 21 November 2009, at 14h00
at St Paul's Cathedral, Adderley Street, Cape Town.
11 G
(21 November 2009 - 17:35 CET)
Very very Sad about this all. So so so unfair. Service today was very moving. Knocked me
quite badly ..... To Greg, Gareth and Dave's family and friends, of which there are many.
Remember Dave is circling overhead, and Dave ........ well he now has the feathered wings
of an Angel. What an absolute hero, he was taking no chance on injuring a single
spectator. quite incredible. I'm sure every single aviator enthusiast salutes you, Sir.
May you now peacefully soar the heavenly skies. Was a true pleasure it has been seeing you
display your skill and dedication. RIP Dave and may your Family have your protection until
you meet again. G
12 John McLaren (Scotland)
(7 December 2009 - 21:37 CET)
Having made a long planned trip to Cape Town for my 50th birthday for a flight in one of
the Thunder City Hunters, we were devastated to arrive in Cape Town the day after this
tragedy.
Suffice to say all flights on the Tuesday after Bredasdorp were grounded,
everything pales into gray when you compare man to machine, no matter how impressive,
powerful, or iconic the machine was.
Never had the privilege to meet Dave Stock, but
condolence to his family.
13 David Mitchell (London)
(18 December 2009 - 22:42 CET)
I was numbed when I discovered that Dave Stock died. I was lucky to fly with Dave last
year in the same plane and the memory will be with me forever. Dave exuded confidence and
he made me feel safe and secure so that I could enjoy what was the experience of a
lifetime...he flew this plane so many times but he understood it was my first time and
went out his way to make sure I was the centre of the moment. A real pro. Thoughts go to
his family.
14 Josh Patterson (Oshkosh, USA)
(16 January 2010 - 00:48 CET)
I just got my copy of Aircraft and was shocked when the second page I turn to I find the
headline Thunder City Lightning Lost. I'm amazed it happened at all giving the love and
fanaticism that goes into the maintainance and care of all of Thunder City's planes.
Thank you for sharing you toys with the rest of us. As much fun as I have in a C172, Dave
must have been grinning ear to ear! I hope they find the cause to keep the remaining
pilots and fleet safe.
Keep 'Em Flying!
15 janice ferguson
(16 May 2010 - 12:00 CET)
dave was my cousin i cant believe this has happened we only found out last week will be
sadly missed by all his family in northern ireland we loved you dave will never forget you
great memories . love all xo
16 David Atkinson
(15 June 2010 - 18:45 CET)
What a loss.
I did not know the man, but he will be irreplacable to his family. I
can only offer my sincere condolences.
I did know the aircraft. She will be
remembered and missed by my generation.
17 Nick Nicholls
(25 August 2010 - 10:58 CET)
My first Squadron in the RAF was a Lightning Sqn (23, Leuchars 1965) During my tour we
parked two airframes in the North Sea, both with hydraulic fires. Only option is a
"Martin Baker" letdown to a "Silk One" arrival, which seems to have failed in this
case. I was ground grew in those days and my leaving present was two sorties in the "T
Bird", an experience which lives with me to this day.My total admiration to all the
pilots at Thunder City and my deep condolences to Dave's family.
18 Andrew Austin
(18 November 2010 - 16:48 CET)
A year late, have just found out about the crash, the loss of a magnificent aircraft is
hard to take, the loss of a pilot, EVEN HARDER. I didnt know the pilot, but was very
saddened to hear of his death in the crash. My sympathies to his family and friends, and
all who knew him.
19 Chris Langan-Fox
(28 April 2011 - 17:29 CET)
So sad. A fine man died with his flying boots on. Remembered by another man who was an
ATCO at Wattisham and Binbrook with 56, 29, 11 &5. The LIGHTNING, never to be forgotten.
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