WING walkers will be making a return to the final Bournemouth Air Festival, it has been announced. 

The AeroSuperBatics wing walkers and their biplane will return to the shortened three-day festival next month. 

Pilot David Barrell and Kirsten Pobjoy sustained minor injuries following a ‘successful ditching’ in Poole Harbour on the third day of 2021’s event.  

The display will return alongside other popular acts such as the Red Devils Army Parachute Display Team, the Eurofighter Typhoon, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the RAF Tutor. 

However, this year will not see the Red Arrows due to previously agreed commitments overseas during the same period.  

Also not coming back is the Tigers Army Parachute Display Team (because of a “reform of the army parachute display teams” for this year) and Team Yakovlevs (after it ceased operations).  

Meanwhile the usual host of fun and entertainment will also be available across the beaches, including fairground rides, pier to pier trading, fireworks, vintage displays, demonstrations from the Army and Navy, exciting night air displays and more. 

On the wing walker’s crash, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch published a report revealed that in the space of just four minutes the crew went from first realising there was a problem to successfully ditching off Sandbanks. 

Mr Barrell had been told he might be able to bring the plane down at Parkstone Golf Club, however, he ruled this out as people might be on the course. 

He saw empty fields on Studland as a place to land but with the aircraft's condition worsening, he swiftly changed approach and ditched in the water away from any boats.