On the morning of 14 October 1999, Flight Lieutenants Dicky Wright and Sean Casabayo tragically lost their lives when their Tornado GR1, ZD809, crashed into farmland between the villages of Ingoe and Kirkheaton, 15 miles outside Newcastle Upon Tyne. The two aviators were attempting to navigate difficult weather conditions during a Qualified Weapons Instructor training exercise.
The flight was forced to divert from its intended course due to rapidly deteriorating weather near Newcastle airport. In an effort to avoid entering restricted airspace, ZD809 made a series of necessary but challenging manoeuvres. Unfortunately, during one of these, the aircraft lost control, and in the seconds that followed, the nose dropped, rendering the rudder temporarily inoperable. With no time to recover, ZD809 crashed at 10:57 a.m., resulting in the tragic deaths of both Flight Lieutenants Wright and Casabayo.
The crash left a deep impact on their families, friends, and the wider RAF community, where they were both remembered as talented and dedicated aviators who died serving their country. While they each have individual gravestones, there has been no formal memorial near the crash site.
"I cycled up to the crash site two years ago to pay my respects to Sean and Dicky, as I’ve done for all those who perished in Tornado crashes over the past 40 years. The weather was rough that day, almost mirroring the conditions they faced 23 years earlier. As I pedalled uphill in the rain, I couldn’t help but think of how they battled through the same skies. The way back was easier, with the sun out and the wind behind me; I literally flew back home…sadly, something Sean and Dicky didn’t experience that fateful day."
Martin Wintermeyer
Project Organiser
On 14 October 2024, exactly 25 years since the crash, a memorial was unveiled. The dedication of the memorial stone to honour their memory at a location close to where the accident occurred was conducted by Deputy Chaplin-in-Chief (Operations), Reverand Alasdair Nicoll and overseen by Air Officer Commanding Number 11 Group, Air Vice-Marshal Burke and His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Northumberland, Dr Caroline Pryer.
Support from the Royal Air Force was provided by RAF Boulmer, RAF Lossiemouth, RAF Waddington, and an Ensemble of the Band from Royal Air Force College Cranwell. The service was attended by over 100 people who came together to pay their respects to the fallen Aviators.
"The dedication service was a beautiful mix of formality and heartfelt remembrance. We had family, friends, military and civic representatives, and many locals who all came to pay their respects. The stone, crafted from local sandstone, is a fitting tribute to two much loved aviators. It was long overdue, but it was done right."
Martin Wintermeyer
Project Organiser
The memorial commissioned in collaboration with Art of Stone Memorials (Blyth), has been carefully crafted from local sandstone with granite plaques. It will serve not only as a site of remembrance for Dicky and Sean’s loved ones but also for the local community, who have honoured them privately for many years.
"Everyone recognised the importance of honouring Sean and Dicky. This memorial is more than just a stone…it’s a way for us all to connect with their memory and give them the tribute they deserved."
Martin Wintermeyer
Project Organiser
‘Twenty-five years ago, Northumberland stopped and felt the loss, deeply. In 2024, our local community is proud to be part of the story. We all have our memories and have pledged that as far as our families, our community and our county are concerned, we will remember them.’
Dr Caroline Pryer
His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant for Northumberland
