RAF Jet Steered Away From Homes Before Ejection, Commander Says

An Royal Air Force (RAF) Hawk T2 jet was steered into an open field to avoid populated areas before its two pilots ejected as the aircraft plummeted to the ground, an RAF commander has stated. The jet reportedly failed moments after taking off from RAF Valley near Rhosneigr, Anglesey, on its first test flight after undergoing repairs.

Footage from the incident shows the two pilots parachuting from the aircraft before it crashed. Both pilots sustained minor injuries and were treated at a local hospital.

Gp Capt Gez Currie, Station Commander, said that the aircraft would have been directed towards an open area to prevent casualties on the ground. "The aircraft would have been aimed in a direction that the pilot believed was open field, in order to avoid built-up areas and anybody on the ground," Currie stated.

Following the crash, RAF Hawk operations have been paused as a precautionary measure while an investigation into the incident is conducted.

Local farmer Richard Owen, who owns a caravan park near Rhosneigr, described his proximity to the crash site. Owen, 88, was in his kitchen when he heard an initial bang, which he initially dismissed due to the regular presence of aircraft. However, a second bang prompted him to look outside, where he saw flames and the aircraft descending. "It landed just on the other side of the park," he recounted. "I went out to take a look. There were little bits of wreckage all around the site. The tail section must have blown off and landed next to one of the caravans."

Owen expressed relief that most of his caravans were empty at the time and that the vehicles were largely undamaged, though he noted significant smoke and debris.

A local source suggested the aircraft had recently been repaired due to a faulty component, indicating that the crash occurred during a test flight. "This was a test flight and they realised pretty quickly that something was wrong. It was a very lucky escape for all involved," the source said.

The Hawk T2 is a high-performance, two-seat training jet built by BAE Systems, used by the RAF since 1976 to train pilots for simulated combat environments, preparing them for operations in complex tactical settings. RAF Valley is a key training base for the RAF's fighter pilots.