On Saturday 20th August 2011 the iconic Red Arrows aerobatic display team suffered their first fatal accident since 1978, and unfortunately Jon Egging the pilot of Red 4 was killed after crashing into the countryside close to Bournemouth Airport after seemingly ensuring his aircraft stayed clear of residential areas.
This article does not contain speculation on how the accident happened. That is being investigated, and the Red Arrows fleet has been temporarily grounded whilst that investigation is completed.
Instead, I just wanted to pay tribute to a man I have never met, but who earned my admiration and respect through his service to our country, and the great joy and entertainment he provided millions of us through his displays with the Red Arrows team – a fantastic British institution.
Jon Egging – like all selected Red Arrows pilots – had a distinguished career as a pilot within the Royal Air Force (RAF), flying the Tucano and the Hawk before becoming a qualified flying instructor for the Hawk aircraft. Before his selection for the Red Arrows, Jon was flying the Harrier GR9 with the IV(AC) Squadron.
Flt. Lt. Egging had been at service supporting our brave ground troops in Afghanistan, and whatever our views on whether or not we should be occupying this country, there is no doubting the bravery of all that have served over there.
He had started flying with the Red Arrows in 2010 and died doing what he loved doing. If some stories are true, his last act was as heroic as we could expect as he managed to steer his Hawk aircraft away from houses and members of the public before impact. It is this selfless act that embodies the bravery of all of our service men and women.
R.I.P Flt Lt Jon Egging. You bought joy to millions around the world and that will never be forgotten. My condolences go out to Jon’s family, and the Red Arrows team. My thoughts are with you all.
If you would like to add your Red Arrow memories or some words about Jon Egging, please do so below. If you share my sentiments, please consider spreading the word by liking this page on Facebook, or tweeting this.
10 responses to “A Tribute to Flight Lt Jon Egging: Red Arrows Pilot Killed in Accident (R.I.P)”
From Holland my deepest condelence,
My deep sympathy on the loss of this great pilot , and my condolences to the family.
A perfectly worded tribute that I’m sure will be appreciated and agreed with by evryone who reads it..
r.i.p jon egging
The red arrows wont be the same jon will be sadly missed r.i.p
What a great tribute to jon,R.I.P Jon egging died a hero, & I’m sure will always be remembered for who & what he did,& every time the reds fly from now on people will as always stand & watch in awe as they always do & Jon will always be thought of by many when the reds fly, I think the red 4 plane should always fly with Jon eggings name upon it as a lasting tribute maybe on the tail or the wing, regards to jon,s family friends & colleuges,
The Red Arrows make me feel proud to be British. I have seen them display 3 times this year and I was so desperately sad to hear about Jon’s death at the weekend. I am still in disbelief. My thoughts are with the rest of the Reds and Jon’s wife and family. Jon will never be forgotten and his memory will continue with every display the Reds perform.
HAVE WATCHED THE REDS FOR MANY YEARS, AND AM STILL IN AWE OF THE WAY THAT THEY DISPLAY, JONS LOSS WAS SO TRAGIC, I DEEPLY SYMPATHISE WITH HIS WIFE EMMA, THE TEAM, AND ALL WHO KNEW JON. HAVING JONS NAME ON A RED ARROWS HAWK AS A MEMORY TO A WONDERFUL, SKILLFUL PILOT I THINK IS A GREAT WAY TO REMEMBER JON
it was my first time watching the red arrows and im very young but i was staying up in bournemouth wuith my mum and i really enjoyed thwe air crafts they were amaing tbh, i feel very sad for loosing a redd arroww but he was incredible and espicially so many people respect him r.i.p jon egging you will be missed and im sure he is looking down on his amazing family and thinking how special he is to have them for suppoer
I’ve been thinking about the tragic loss of young life this week of Jon, that I watched on the news some months back and with warm thoughts for his wife and family I would like to add that I hope he rests in peace, love, joy and hope FOREVER and that all these graces are alive right now for the family too.