The Royal Air Force has launched an investigation into the crash of a Hawk T2 training jet near Pencarnisiog on the island of Anglesey, following the successful ejection of both pilots. While North Wales Police confirmed the crew sustained only minor injuries, the incident has prompted a temporary suspension of fast-jet training operations across the service.
Available video footage, shared by BBC Security analyst Mikey Kay, appears to show orange flames emitting from the rear of the aircraft shortly after takeoff from RAF Valley. However, the flames seem to dissipate as the plane climbs, before the aircraft eventually nosedives into the ground and bursts into flames moments after the pilots ejected.
Kay, a former RAF pilot with two decades of service, noted that the presence of fire at the rear of the jet is unusual for the Hawk T2. He explained that unlike other aircraft such as the F-18 or Tornado, the Hawk does not utilize an afterburner, meaning visible exhaust flames are not standard. The footage indicated the fire originated from the side of the engine—where the primary hydraulic systems are located—rather than from the engine exhaust itself. This suggests the cause may not have been a complete engine failure, though investigators are still determining the exact sequence of events.
When questioned about why the flight was not aborted despite the visible issues, Kay pointed out that a red and white van observed in the footage belonged to spotters rather than air traffic control. Although spotters have a direct line to controllers, they cannot command the aircraft to abort. By the time such communication could occur, the jet was already airborne.
The Hawk T2, manufactured by BAE Systems, is a two-seat advanced trainer used for high-speed jet training and features controls similar to those of the Eurofighter Typhoon. It is equipped with an advanced “glass cockpit.” According to Kay, this incident marks the first known case of the T2 variant ejecting both pilots. He described the ejection sequence, captured on camera, as “quite remarkable” and credited the ejection seats as critical lifesavers. The T2 allows for either individual ejection via a ring between the seats or a “command ejection” by the rear-seat pilot, which triggers a miniature detonation cord to shatter the canopy.
RAF Valley, located on Anglesey, serves as a hub for both basic and advanced fast-jet training. The base is strategically positioned within the UK’s low-flying system, providing access to the Mach Loop—a series of valleys popular with aviation photographers—and other tactical training areas across central Wales and northern England.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that while the investigation is ongoing, training flights involving the Hawk have been paused as a precautionary measure. This restriction also applies to the Hawk T1, the aircraft flown by the Red Arrows, although the display team was not scheduled to fly until the Le Touquet Airshow in France later this week. No date has been set for the resumption of flights.
Leave a Reply