A pilot who died when his plane crashed into an airfield has been named as a Falklands war hero and Parachute Regiment veteran who recently starred in a BBC documentary.
Chris Waddington, 59, died after his fixed wing light aircraft plummeted from the skies at 10am on August 26.
Emergency services were called to Shobdon Airfield in Leominster, Herefordshire, but despite the efforts of medics Mr Waddington was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment veteran recently appeared in a BBC documentary to mark 40 years since the Falklands War.
Chris Waddington, 59, died when his plane crashed into Shobdon Airfield, in Leominster, Herefordshire. Pictured in a BBC documentary to mark 40 years since the Falklands War
Emergency services were called to Shobdon Airfield on Friday, August 26, but despite the efforts of medics, Mr Waddington was pronounced dead at the scene
The Herefordshire pilot was among 10 men who featured in Our Falklands War: A Frontline Story, having fought alongside each other.
Mr Waddington, who was a second lieutenant at the time of the war in 1982, led a platoon of 20 into the first battle.
The then 19-year-old was the most junior officer rank and had only recently completed his military training at Sandhurst, Berkshire.
He gained the nickname ‘Boy Wonder’ because of his enthusiasm for his job.
In the BBC documentary, Mr Waddington recalled moments from the first battle.
Mr Waddington (centre) led a platoon of 20 in the Falklands War, when he was 19-years-old
He said: ‘In the first 30 seconds we were fired upon by a position, and one of my section commanders, Gary Bingley, let out a cry and fell down.
‘He was killed almost straight away. Another machine gunner was wounded and a third soldier was shot in the stomach.
‘And suddenly we’d gone from normal life into complete chaos, in the space of a minute.’
Mr Waddington said that he ran out to try and pick up Lance Corporal Bingley.
‘Unlike the movies, somebody who weights 150 pounds, plus his equipment weighs 200 pounds, you can’t, you can’t pick them up.’
Mr Waddington said that his platoon sergeant turned to him and said: ‘Stop running around, start leading’.
He second lieutenant then ordered the platoon to ‘fix bayonets’.
After the war, Mr Waddington served in Bosnia and Iraq as a paratrooper, a role that he continued for more than 20 years.
From there, he pursued his passion of recreational flying, purchasing a Pitts biplane. He also worked in private security.
His aircraft was frequently seen in the skies of his home county and in 2020 he performed stunts as part of the final Clap for Our Carers event.
He took part in air shows from 2015, and had owned the plane for 22 years.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has since launched an investigation into the crash.
West Mercia Police confirmed last week no one else was on board, there were no other injuries and no other aircraft was involved.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said that it had sent one ambulance, a paramedic officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance, who found Mr Waddington still inside the plane.
A spokesman added: ‘On arrival we discovered a fixed wing light aircraft that had come down at the airfield.
‘There was one male patient still within the aircraft.
‘Sadly, it quickly became apparent nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene.’
Following his death, tributes poured in on social media reflecting on Mr Waddington’s impact on others
Following his death, veterans shared memories of working with the hero pilot.
One said: ‘This is terribly sad news. Chris was my boss in Baghdad and someone the whole team looked up to and respected.
‘A consummate professional. As others have mentioned his contribution to the recent Falklands documentary was memorable for his brutal honesty. RIP Sir.’
Another added: ‘I’m sure I speak on behalf of all at Brize’s Royal Air Force Flying Club when I say shocked and saddened to hear about Chris’s crash!
‘He was a top bloke who taught new pilots to get their licence with us. An honour to work with him, Condolences to Chris’s family from all of us.’
‘What a tragedy,’ another tribute read. ‘Chris was a privilege to work with; a humble, honest man who I looked up to all my career. RIP Chris.’
One tweet read: ‘This is so sad. I remember handing over 11 platoon to him all those years ago. It was nice to see him on TV recently on the Falklands anniversary documentary. RIP Chris.’
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