RAF Jet Crashed Near Caravan Park Without Fuel Cap, Investigation Claims
An inquiry into a Royal Air Force jet crash near a Welsh caravan park is reportedly focusing on a missing fuel cap, a finding that has raised questions about safety standards.
A Royal Air Force (RAF) Hawk T2 jet that crashed and exploded near a caravan park in north Wales was allegedly flying without its fuel cap, according to reports. The incident occurred last month shortly after the jet took off from RAF Valley. Two pilots ejected from the aircraft before it impacted the ground, scattering debris near Afallon Caravan Park in Rhosneigr, Anglesey.
The missing fuel cap is understood to be a significant element of the ongoing investigation into the crash. Sources suggest that while internal valves would have prevented fuel spillage, the absence of the cap indicates a lapse in standards. "One of the first things the crash investigators established was a fuel cap was missing," one source told The Sun. Another expressed concern, stating, "Safety is everything in aviation. This plane should never have taken off without its fuel cap."
The fuel cap in question is believed to have been part of a gravity-fed inlet, separate from the primary high-pressure fuel system. It is not yet confirmed whether the missing cap directly caused the accident.
The Hawk T2, valued at approximately £20 million, was on a test flight when witnesses reported it trailing flames. The two pilots, understood to be undergoing training at the No. 4 Flying Training School at RAF Valley, sustained minor injuries upon ejecting. Station Commander Gp Capt Gez Currie stated that the pilot directed the aircraft toward open fields to avoid populated areas.
The entire Hawk T2 fleet was briefly grounded following the crash but has since resumed operations. RAF Valley is a key training facility for the air force, responsible for preparing pilots for advanced combat aircraft.
Richard Owen, owner of Afallon Caravan Park, described the moments following the crash, noting that while initial sounds were dismissed as routine aircraft noise, a subsequent explosion alerted him to the severity of the incident. He observed wreckage scattered near his caravans, including a tail section. He expressed relief that most of his caravans were unoccupied at the time.
The Hawk T2, manufactured by BAE Systems, has been in service for training purposes since 2009. It is designed to simulate frontline combat aircraft and prepare pilots for complex tactical situations. This incident follows a previous grounding of the Hawk fleet in January 2023 due to a blade failure during a runway incident.
A spokesperson for the RAF confirmed that the Defence Accident Investigation Branch is investigating the crash and stated that further comment would be inappropriate while the investigation is ongoing.