EVIDENCE on a crash pilot’s mental state will be probed in a secret court hearing usually reserved for spooks.

       Andrew Hill, 56, was cleared of the manslaughter of 11 men in the 2015 Shoreham airshow tragedy.

       3

       Despite being cleared of all criminal charges in March 2019, crash pilot Andrew Hill's mental state will be investigated in a secret court hearing Credit: PA:Press Association 3

       Andrew Hill, pilot of the 2015 Shoreham airshow tragedy, will see the coroner examine his crucial defence claim of 'cognitive impairment' at the controls Credit: Newzulu

       But now the coroner investigating the victims’ deaths plans to examine his crucial defence claim of “cognitive impairment” at the controls.

       Legal papers show East Sussex Coroner Penelope Schofield has demanded access to Hill’s cockpit GoPro footage, expert medical reports and criminal court transcripts.

       The material is “protected” under EU law, meaning it can only be used for safety investigations. But Ms Schofield’s battle for the papers will be settled in the rare secret hearing, likely to be in December.

       A High Court judge likened it to a closed “public interest immunity” court session — normally used by MI5 or MI6.

       Ms Schofield also wants to probe the findings by two Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) reports on grounds of “potential incompleteness”.

       High Court documents show she will assess if Hill’s “conscious and deliberate conduct contributed to the crash”.

       Most read in The Sun

       RENT REGRET I paid ￡36k up front to rent for a year - people say I’m a fool for not buying

       'I'm not your role model' Towie’s Joey reacts after worried fans begged him to 'get help'

       TOTAL WASHOUT Woman shares how often you should clean a washing machine after tablet hack

       'THAT'S AMAZING' Ant and Dec open-mouthed as this year's I'm A Celeb line-up is confirmed

       POLAR PLUNGE Snow is on the way in Arctic blast as polar vortex 'is knocked off kilter'

       ARE RU READY Five next opponents for Ruiz Jr ahead of ring return including Whyte and Fury

       The inquest will also challenge whether he “suffered a cognitive impairment which affected his flying abilities”.

       If she finds Hill at fault, it could pave the way for civil lawsuits from victims’ families.

       A 2017 AAIB report ruled Hill flew too low and too slow at the West Sussex airshow. He was cleared of all criminal charges in March 2019.

       3

       Flowers at the scene of the Shoreham airhsow crash, in 2015 Credit: Simon Jones - The Sun

       Pilot Andy Hill apologises for the 'part he played' in the Shoreham air crash