A member of the RAF Aerobatic Team was killed in a ground incident at RAF Scampton on Tuesday.

"It is with great regret that I can confirm there has been a ground incident involving one of the RAF Aerobatic Team's Hawk aircraft at RAF Scampton that has resulted in the death of the pilot. The pilot was ejected from the aircraft whilst the aircraft was on the ground," said RAF's Central Flying School Group Captain Simon Blake in a statement.

He said the pilot's next of kin have been informed and they have asked for a period of grace before his name is released. "At this stage, it is important that we allow the family some time to come to terms with this dreadful and terrible news," he said.

"The Military Aviation Authority is in the process of initiating a full and independent Service Inquiry to determine the cause of this tragic incident. However, it would be most inappropriate to speculate on the cause of the incident," Simon added.