RAF Training Jet Crash Under Investigation; Footage Shows Ejections

A Royal Air Force (RAF) Hawk T2 training jet crashed shortly after taking off from RAF Valley on Anglesey, an incident that has led to a temporary suspension of training flights for the aircraft. The crash occurred near the village of Pencarnisiog.

Video footage circulating on social media appears to show flames emanating from the rear of the jet shortly after takeoff. According to former RAF pilot Mikey Kay, these flames did not appear to be typical engine exhaust from a Hawk jet, which lacks an afterburner. Kay suggested the flames might have originated from the aircraft's main hydraulics system, which controls flight operations, and speculated that engine failure may not have been the cause.

Further footage seems to depict two pilots ejecting from the aircraft before it nosedived and crashed. Kay described the capture of the ejection sequence on camera as "quite remarkable," emphasizing the critical role of the ejection seat in saving the pilots' lives. The T2 jet is designed with two ejection options: individual ejection by each pilot or a "command ejection" initiated by one pilot to eject both seats, with the rear seat occupant ejecting first. The ejection system is engineered to function even at zero speed and height, allowing sufficient time for parachutes to deploy.

RAF Valley serves as a training base for both basic and advanced fast-jet pilots. The surrounding area, including the Machynlleth Loop (also known as the Mach Loop), is frequently used for low-level, instrument, and formation flying training, making it an ideal location for pilot development. This area is part of the Ministry of Defence's network of low-flying tactical training zones.

The RAF has confirmed that training on Hawk jets has been temporarily paused while an investigation into the incident is ongoing.