VIDEO: Vulcan investigated over ‘illegal’ barrel roll

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed it was investigating “a recent flight” involving Vulcan XH558 which is based at Robin Hood Airport and undertook its final flight last Wednesday.

The footage of the aircraft performing the manoeuvre was captured on camera by an amateur enthusiast flying over Grantham, Lincolnshire on 4 October.

Restrictions on ex-military aircraft were put in place after the Shoreham air crash in August.

A spokesman for the CAA said it was looking whether the Vulcan “may have performed a roll manoeuvre”.

He added: “This did not occur during an air display. Although not normally allowed under its current permissions to fly, a roll is a benign manoeuvre and the Vulcan’s maintenance support organisation has confirmed that the aircraft is safe to fly.”

The CAA said the measures taken in the wake of the Shoreham air crash were primarily applicable to air displays.

The aircraft, which is maintained and operated by the Vulcan to the Sky Trust, has now been grounded following a farewell season of flights and displays. It will now become a permanent exhibit at Robin Hood.

The Trust is yet to comment on the investigation.