Two pilots who ejected from their aircraft moments before it crashed near Anglesey are expected to make a full recovery, the RAF has confirmed. The Hawk T2 jet came down in the Pencarnisiog area on Wednesday after departing RAF Valley station, with both aircrew treated for minor injuries and reported to be in good spirits.
Video footage captured the dramatic moment the two pilots ejected from the aircraft before it plummeted to the ground and erupted in flames. The crash site showed a significant explosion, with eyewitnesses describing a wall of fire following the impact. According to local reporting, the aircraft narrowly avoided striking nearby homes before coming to rest in the rural location.
In a statement, the RAF said:
Both pilots are doing well, they are in extremely good spirits and expected to make a full recovery. A formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is now under way and, as a precautionary measure, the RAF has temporarily paused Hawk T1 and Hawk T2 flying operations.
The incident has prompted a temporary suspension of all Hawk operations across the RAF as a precautionary step while investigators examine what caused the crash. This pause affects both the T1 and T2 variants of the aircraft, including the Red Arrows aerobatic display team based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, which operates the T1 model. The Red Arrows were not scheduled to fly again until the Le Touquet Airshow in France this weekend, and the timeline for lifting the restriction remains unclear.
What are the Hawk aircraft?
The Hawk T1 and T2 are transonic, two-seat training jets used by the RAF to prepare fast-jet pilots for operational flying. The T2 represents an advanced variant of the trainer, incorporating modern avionics and systems to reflect current fast-jet operations. These aircraft form a critical part of the RAF's pilot training pipeline, bridging the gap between basic fast-jet training and operational squadrons.
About RAF Valley
RAF Valley, located on Anglesey in North Wales, serves as a major training establishment for the RAF's fighter pilots. The station's No 4 Flying Training School is responsible for developing the next generation of fast-jet aviators, while the base also trains aircrew for mountain and maritime operations and hosts the Mountain Rescue Service.
The station opened in February 1941 and became a staging post for United States aircraft supporting the war effort from 1943 onwards. The Prince of Wales served as a search and rescue pilot at the Holyhead base between 2010 and 2013, during which time he and the Princess of Wales lived on Anglesey as newlyweds. He returned to RAF Valley in April to mark the station's 85th anniversary, where he reflected on his
fond memoriesof the base.
The location's proximity to the Machynlleth Loop, a well-known low-level flying and spotting area, means the base and its operations attract significant attention from aviation enthusiasts and local residents. A publicly-funded airport operated between Anglesey and Cardiff from 2007 until 2020.
Investigation and next steps
A formal investigation into the crash circumstances is now underway. The RAF has stated it will not provide further comment at this stage while the inquiry proceeds. Training restrictions on Hawk operations will remain in place as the service assesses the incident and determines when normal flying operations can safely resume.
Key Facts:
- Both pilots ejected successfully and are expected to make a full recovery from minor injuries
- The Hawk T2 crashed near Pencarnisiog on Anglesey on Wednesday after departing RAF Valley
- All Hawk T1 and T2 flying operations have been paused as a precautionary measure pending investigation
- RAF Valley is a primary fast-jet training base responsible for preparing fighter pilots for operational service
- The Red Arrows aerobatic team, which operates the Hawk T1, is included in the operational pause
