Two Royal Air Force pilots, one a trainee and the other an experienced professional, are expected to make a complete recovery after emergency ejection from their aircraft on Anglesey. The RAF confirmed on Thursday that both men, who sustained only minor injuries, are in good spirits and receiving care at a hospital alongside their families.
The incident occurred on Wednesday when a Hawk T2 jet departed RAF Valley station and subsequently crashed in the Pencarnisiog area. A video circulated on social media appeared to capture the moment both crew members ejected before the plane nosedived into flames, narrowly missing residential properties.
Captain Gez Currie, Station Commander of RAF Valley, stated that the aircraft was directed toward open countryside in an effort to avoid populated zones. He emphasized that the inquiry is in its preliminary phases and declined to speculate on the cause of the accident.
In a precautionary measure, the RAF has suspended all Hawk T1 and T2 flying operations while the investigation proceeds. The pause encompasses the Red Arrows aerobatic display team, which utilizes the T1 variant, though they were not scheduled to perform until the upcoming airshow in Le Touquet, France.
RAF Valley, established in 1941, serves as a critical hub for training fast jet pilots through No 4 Flying Training School. The base also hosts operations for mountain and maritime aircrew, as well as the Mountain Rescue Service. Its significance was highlighted recently when Prince Charles returned to mark the station’s 85th anniversary, reflecting on his tenure as a search and rescue pilot stationed there from 2010 to 2013.
Grounding the Red Arrows is a smart move, but what will this mean for the Le Touquet show next month? Hoping for updates soon.
So relieved to hear both pilots are recovering well. Those ejection videos are terrifying, glad they avoided the houses too.