Spitfire MJ627 makes emergency landing after power loss

On the evening of Saturday, May 3, 2025, a World War Two Spitfire, designated as MJ627, made an emergency landing in a field located on Lower Wall Road, West Hythe, in Kent, England. The aircraft reportedly lost power during its flight, prompting the pilot to seek a precautionary landing at a non-airfield site. At the time of the incident, two individuals were aboard the plane. Fortunately, only one of them required treatment from paramedics, and both were reported as uninjured. The owner of the aircraft, a company known as Fly a Spitfire, stated that they had been in contact with the pilot, who emphasized that the landing was a precautionary measure. The Kent Fire & Rescue Service responded to the scene with two fire engines at approximately 19:25 BST, ensuring the aircraft was made safe following its landing. The incident is currently under investigation by the Air Accident Investigation Branch to determine the cause of the power loss that necessitated the emergency maneuver. The Spitfire MJ627 holds historical significance, having first entered service on September 25, 1944. It played a role in aerial combat during World War II, including a successful mission where it destroyed a German Messerschmitt Me 109 fighter over Arnhem just days after being commissioned. The aircraft has a history of emergency situations; it previously made a wheels-up landing at Coventry Airport in 1998 and experienced a separate incident last year when the cockpit canopy detached during take-off but landed safely without any reported injuries. In light of the emergency landing incident, the significance of ensuring aircraft safety, especially for historic planes like the Spitfire, has become a point of discussion. The circumstances surrounding this event will likely prompt further scrutiny to prevent future occurrences. As the Air Accident Investigation Branch delves into the specifics of this incident, the aviation community, including enthusiasts and historians, anxiously awaits findings that will reveal the underlying issues that led to this emergency landing.