RAF jet crash leaves two pilots injured in Anglesey

Two RAF pilots are expected to make a full recovery after ejecting from a Hawk T2 jet moments before it crashed near Pencarnisiog on Anglesey. The pilots, a trainee and an experienced instructor, suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital. The RAF said both were in good spirits and remained with their families.

Aircraft Steered Away From Homes

Group Captain Gez Currie, the station commander at RAF Valley, said the aircraft would have been directed towards what the pilot believed was open ground to reduce the risk to people on the ground. The jet crashed close to buildings but avoided populated areas.

Crash Happened After Take-Off

The Hawk T2 had been operating from RAF Valley when it went down in the nearby Pencarnisiog area on Wednesday. Video footage shared online appeared to show both pilots ejecting before the aircraft descended rapidly and crashed in flames.

Investigation Underway

Currie said it was too early to determine what caused the crash. He described the flight as a routine training sortie involving a trainee and a highly experienced instructor. The RAF has launched a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Hawk Flights Paused

The RAF has temporarily suspended Hawk T1 and T2 flying operations as a precaution while investigators examine the crash. The pause also affects the Red Arrows, which operate the Hawk T1 aircraft.

Red Arrows Also Affected

The Red Arrows are based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire and use the Hawk T1 for their aerobatic displays. The team was not due to fly again until an airshow in Le Touquet, France, this weekend, but the temporary restriction means its operations are also affected.

Eyewitnesses Describe Close Call

Eyewitness Ollie Zalot said he was initially concerned that people on the ground could have been injured because the aircraft crashed near buildings. Anglesey councillor Neville Evans described the incident as a fortunate escape because of how close the crash site was to a village and caravan park.

Cause Remains Unknown

BBC security analyst Mikey Kay, a former RAF serviceman, said it was too early to establish the cause of the crash and cautioned against assuming that an engine failure was responsible. Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft, flight data and circumstances leading up to the pilots’ ejection.

Hawk Aircraft Used for Training

The Hawk T1 and newer T2 are two-seat, transonic training aircraft used to prepare pilots for fast-jet operations. RAF Valley is a major training base for RAF and Royal Navy fast-jet pilots, with the Hawk T2 forming an important part of advanced flight training.

RAF Awaits Investigation Findings

The RAF has not indicated how long the suspension of Hawk operations will remain in place. Officials say the investigation is still in its early stages, with the priority now on determining what happened while ensuring the safety of pilots and personnel operating the aircraft.