Squadron Leader Mark Long, a Royal Air Force (RAF) pilot, was killed in a Spitfire crash at the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) event near RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire on Saturday, May 25, 2024. The accident occurred around 1:20 PM on Langrick Road, prompting a swift response from police and emergency services. Mark Long, who had been a Typhoon pilot at RAF Coningsby and a BBMF pilot for the past four years, was confirmed dead at the scene.

RAF officials expressed deep sorrow over the loss and announced the launch of an investigation to determine the crash’s cause. Mark Long was described as a dedicated and professional aviator who would be greatly missed. Tributes poured in from public figures including the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. The BBMF operates a collection of historic aircraft, with this incident marking the first fatality since its establishment in 1957.