Decades-old debris in carburettor starved Spitfire's engine and killed RAF pilot, 43, inquiry finds

From the Newshound archive · first published 4 October 2026 · last updated 5 October 2026.

A Ministry of Defence inquiry has concluded that a piece of debris lodged inside the carburettor of a 1944 Spitfire for decades was "very likely" responsible for the death of Squadron Leader Mark Long, 43, near RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire on 25 May 2024. The engine lost thrust just 56 seconds after take-off, sending the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight aircraft into a field. The report found contradictory maintenance manuals created ambiguity over how thoroughly the carburettor should have been cleaned, making debris build-up harder to detect.

Chemical analysis confirmed the debris had been present in the engine "for decades", predating Long's fatal flight by an unknown number of years.

The cockpit design and restraint system were identified as aggravating factors, though any structural changes would compromise the aircraft's historic authenticity and airworthiness.