Pilot seriously injured after Druine Turbulent damaged at Stow Maries air show

A pilot was seriously injured on August 16, 2026, when a single-seat Druine D.31 Turbulent was damaged while performing at the Stow Maries Air Show in Essex, England. Organisers had to stop the show and close the site at Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, near Maldon, to the public.

Essex Police said officers were called to the scene shortly before 14:25 local time. The aircraft's sole occupant was taken to hospital with serious injuries, the force said, adding that no one else was hurt. Paramedics from the East of England Ambulance Service also attended. Police asked attendees to follow instructions from event staff and emergency responders.

Stow Maries said in a statement that the aircraft was taking part in a low-level formation display by the Turbulent Team when it was damaged, injuring the pilot. A later update from the aerodrome said the pilot had been moved to a hospital in London for treatment. Organisers said they were cooperating with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch and emergency services.

The aerodrome has not said how the aircraft came to be damaged, and no registration has been released. The AAIB confirmed it had been notified of the incident near Chelmsford and would send an inspector for an initial assessment, with further details expected the following week.

The Turbulent Display Team, run by the Tiger Club and based at Damyns Hall Aerodrome in Upminster, has performed at air shows since 1959. Its routine includes low-level formation flying, balloon-bursting, flour-bombing and limbo flying beneath a banner. The Druine D.31 is a lightweight, wood-and-fabric French-designed aircraft powered by a converted Volkswagen car engine.