Deputy Lieutenant killed in plane crash (From This is Hampshire)

Deputy Lieutenant killed in plane crash

2:58pm Friday 10th July 2009

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A DEPUTY Lieutenant of Hampshire has been killed in a plane crash in the Midlands.

Captain John Fairey from Broughton near Stockbridge was at the controls of a plane which went down near Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, on Wednesday.

The Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mary Fagan, said: “I was very saddened to hear of the tragic death of John Fairey, one of my deputies.

“He will be remembered by many people throughout Hampshire and beyond for his enormous contribution to the community as well as the aviation industry.”

Born in 1935 and educated at Eton and Cambridge, Capt Fairey was the son of Sir Richard Fairey, who founded the Fairey Aviation company. He worked as an airline pilot until he retired at the age of 65.

He was a well-known and popular figure in UK aviation, often flying at air shows.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Gina Livermore, a close friend, said today: “The family are devastated at this tragic event. He was a much-loved man, a good and generous friend, and respected by all who knew him in the village and beyond.

“The family request that they are allowed to grieve in private, though appreciate that he was a well-known man in Hampshire and aviation circles and that everyone has their memories of him and will share the family grief.”

The Rev Ron Corne, rector of St Mary's Church, Broughton, said: "John was a deeply-respected and valued member of the community."

Capt Fairey was chairman of the Friends of the Museum of Army Flying at Middle Wallop and was involved with the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovil in Somerset.

He was married first to Anne Downward and secondly to Beverley Halford. He was predeceased by three sons, Richard, James and Alexander, and survived by his daughter Sarah Jane, grandson Alexander, sister Jane and niece Esther.

A team from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch is looking into the crash. No-one else was on board.

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