Pilots Eject as RAF Hawk Jet Crashes in Anglesey

Two Royal Air Force pilots have been injured after ejecting from a Hawk T2 training jet moments before it crashed near RAF Valley on the Welsh island of Anglesey.

The aircraft was operating from RAF Valley when the incident occurred on Wednesday, September 23, in the Pencarnisiog area. Both pilots successfully ejected from the aircraft before it came down, and North Wales Police said they were being treated for what were believed to be minor injuries.

There were no reports of other injuries or wider damage following the crash. Emergency services, including North Wales Police, the Royal Air Force, fire and rescue crews, ambulance teams and an air ambulance, were sent to the area.

The aircraft crashed into an area near RAF Valley and caught fire. Images and video circulating from the scene showed the jet descending rapidly before hitting the ground and producing a large fireball and plume of smoke. The fire was later brought under control.

Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft encounter difficulties shortly after takeoff. One eyewitness told local media that an orange flame could be seen as the aircraft accelerated from the runway, before it climbed sharply and appeared to pitch violently. The two pilots subsequently ejected and their parachutes opened.

The Royal Air Force confirmed that the aircraft involved was a Hawk T2 operating from RAF Valley. The service said an investigation had been launched and that it would not comment further while the inquiry was under way.

RAF Valley is home to No. 4 Flying Training School, where RAF and Royal Navy pilots receive advanced fast-jet training. The Hawk T2 is a two-seat training aircraft used to prepare pilots for flying front-line aircraft.

Later on Wednesday, the RAF announced that it had temporarily paused Hawk T1 and T2 operations as a precaution while investigations into the incident continue.

The crash prompted a significant emergency response in the area, with authorities asking members of the public to stay away from the crash site while emergency crews and investigators carried out their work.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said his thoughts were “first and foremost with the pilots” and that further information would be provided as the investigation progresses.

The cause of the crash remains unknown.