“It is with great sadness that we must confirm the death of an RAF pilot in a tragic accident near RAF Coningsby today”, RAF said in a statement.
“The pilot’s family have been informed and we ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time,” it said.
British PM Rishi Sunak expressed his condolences saying, “Awful news to see the life of a serving RAF pilot cut short in this tragic event. My thoughts are with their family and loved ones.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales paid their respects to the pilot and his family.
“Incredibly sad to hear of the news this afternoon from RAF Coningsby. Our thoughts this evening are with the pilot’s loved ones, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and the wider RAF family. W & C”, they said in a post on X.
Earlier, Lincolnshire Police reported that the aircraft crashed in a field off Langrick Road, which runs along the RAF station’s perimeter.
RAF Coningsby, a nearby air force post, is home to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, a collection of vintage fighter and bomber aircraft that perform in air exhibitions and memorial displays.
Several of the planes were due to perform a flying display Saturday at the nearby Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Center.
The crash occurred days before wartime aircraft will take to the skies to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the June 6, 1944 Allied invasion of Normandy.
The disaster occurred just days before warplanes will take to the skies to honor the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the June 6, 1944 Allied invasion of Normandy.