The investigation into what caused the plane crash at the Shoreham Airshow “will probably take a couple of years at least”, an aviation expert has said.
A large crane is being used to remove the wreckage of the 1950s Hawker Hunter jet which plummeted onto the A27 in West Sussex on Saturday.
The plane’s remains could be taken to the hanger of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) in Farnborough, Hampshire, for forensic examination.
At least 11 people were killed in the crash, with fears the number could rise to 20 once all the wreckage has been cleared, Sussex Police have warned.
Dozens of investigators will be tasked with finding out why the pilot Andrew Hill, who is fighting for his life after being put into a medically induced coma, failed to pull out of a loop manoeuvre.
Aviation expert Julian Bray predicted the results of the full inquiry will not be known for several years.
“In this particular case, they will not only learn the lessons but there is going to be a huge investigation. The investigation will probably take a couple of years at least and then a very detailed report will come out,” he said.
“They have got to recover the fuselage and they will probably take it to Farnborough or they might hire a private warehouse. They will reconstruct the whole aircraft as far as they can to find out what happened.
“Hopefully the pilot will survive and will be able to assist with the debrief.”
The crash site will be examined and witness statements will be taken.
The AAIB has also appealed to members of the public to send them any photographs or video footage of the crash to aid the inquiry.
The regulator said it will publish a preliminary report when the initial stages of the investigation are completed.
Meanwhile, flying displays by vintage jets will be “significantly restricted until further notice” following the disaster, the aviation regulator has said.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has placed new restrictions on air shows while the authorities conduct a thorough investigation.
Displays by vintage jets over land will limited to flypasts, which means high energy acrobatics are banned.
A statement by the regulator added: “The CAA will conduct additional risk assessments on all forthcoming civil air displays to establish if additional measures should be introduced.”
The CAA said it took steps on the day of the crash to ensure no further flights were made by Hawker Hunter aircraft and this restriction remains in place.
