Two fighter jets collided mid-air Saturday at a US air show, killing multiple pilots and sending emergency crews scrambling across a field of burning wreckage. The accident occurred during a formation display at the Wings Over Dallas event in Texas, where a veteran crowd watched in horror as the aircraft clipped wings and fell from the sky. As investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board begin their work, safety inspectors in Britain are reviewing protocols for the Royal Air Force’s own display teams, including the Red Arrows.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that a full review of risk assessments and emergency procedures is under way, though no suspension of upcoming shows has been ordered. For the thousands of families who flock to seaside air displays each summer, the question is whether enough is being done to prevent a similar tragedy on home soil. Labour unions representing ground crew and pilots have long warned that budget cuts are stretching safety margins.
The Red Arrows, a source of national pride, have suffered fatal accidents before: in 2011 a pilot died after a crash in Bournemouth, and three crew members were killed in 1971 during a practice near Hull. Each time, reviews led to tightened rules on weather minimums and proximity during manoeuvres. Yet critics argue that the relentless pursuit of ever more dramatic performances to draw crowds and justify funding is squeezing the safety envelope.
The US crash involved a B-17 Flying Fortress and a P-63 Kingcobra, vintage warbirds flown by experienced volunteers. The UK review will focus on modern jet displays, which operate at higher speeds and lower altitudes. But any lessons will be examined closely.
For the families of those lost in Texas, and for the anxious spectators who witnessed it, the need for answers is urgent. The air show season in Britain begins in earnest next month, and the government must decide whether to press on or hit pause while the investigation unfolds.
