RAF Hawk Crashes After Takeoff in Anglesey
RAF Hawk Crashes After Takeoff in Anglesey
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Key Points
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A witness told North Wales Live that the aircraft climbed before pitching up violently twice; the two pilots then ejected, and the Hawk crashed about a mile away.
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Farming influencer Gareth Wyn Jones posted an image that appeared to show the two crew members descending under parachutes, captioning it: “Rhosneigr, big bang, jet on fire out of control and two parachutes??”
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Video footage posted on Facebook showed a Wales Air Ambulance helicopter landing in a field near the incident site.
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The witness said they were watching from the shore and had seen hundreds of aircraft take off from the area, adding that the flames were visible as the jet lifted off.
An RAF Hawk training jet crashed near Rhosneigr on Anglesey in North Wales shortly after taking off from RAF Valley. Examiner Live reported that witnesses saw the aircraft catch fire and behave erratically before it went down, leaving a large plume of thick smoke. Both crew members ejected safely by parachute, according to North Wales Chronicle, and an air ambulance responded to the scene.
A witness told North Wales Live the jet climbed before pitching up violently twice. The two pilots then ejected, and the Hawk crashed about a mile away. Farming influencer Gareth Wyn Jones posted an image appearing to show both crew members descending under parachutes, captioning it: 'Rhosneigr, big bang, jet on fire out of control and two parachutes??'
Witnesses Describe Violent Maneuvers Before Impact
An eyewitness watching from the shore told North Wales Live they had seen hundreds of aircraft take off from RAF Valley without incident. This time was different. The witness saw flames visible as the jet lifted off, then watched it climb before pitching up violently twice in quick succession.
The erratic behavior lasted only seconds before both pilots ejected. North Wales Chronicle confirmed that the two crew members got out safely by parachute, with one image posted online appearing to show them descending. The aircraft then crashed approximately one mile from the runway, creating a large impact zone.
Emergency Response Mobilized at Crash Site
Emergency services moved quickly after the impact near Rhosneigr. Examiner Live reported that a large plume of thick smoke billowed from the crash site, visible across the surrounding area. Video footage posted on Facebook showed a Wales Air Ambulance helicopter landing in a field near the incident location.
North Wales Police, fire services, and rescue teams all attended the scene. Leeds Live noted that the Hawk had plummeted shortly after departing RAF Valley. No immediate reports confirmed injuries, ground damage, or the cause of the crash in the initial aftermath of the incident.
RAF Hawk Training Jet Details
The Hawk is a fast-jet trainer used by the RAF to prepare pilots for operational aircraft. RAF Valley, located on Anglesey, regularly operates these aircraft for advanced training missions. The base trains military pilots from the UK and allied nations, making it one of the RAF's busiest training facilities.
The crash represents a rare serious incident at the airfield. According to Denbighshire Free Press, both crew members ejected safely—the primary safety system designed to protect pilots in emergency situations. The full cause of the incident and any ground damage remain under investigation.
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