Two RAF Pilots Eject Before Hawk Jet Crashes in Anglesey

Two Royal Air Force pilots were injured after a Hawk T2 training jet crashed shortly after taking off from RAF Valley on the Welsh island of Anglesey on Wednesday, September 23.

The aircraft came down in the Pencarnisiog area, less than two miles from RAF Valley. Video footage from the scene appeared to show both pilots ejecting from the aircraft and parachuting to the ground moments before the jet descended and crashed, producing a large fireball and thick smoke.

North Wales Police said both pilots were being treated for injuries believed to be minor. Authorities also reported no wider injuries or significant damage to people or property in the surrounding area.

Emergency services, including firefighters, ambulance crews and air ambulance teams, responded to the crash. The fire was later brought under control, and members of the public were asked to avoid the area while emergency crews continued working at the scene.

Witnesses said the aircraft appeared to experience problems shortly after takeoff. One eyewitness told local media that he saw what appeared to be an orange flame as the jet climbed, followed by violent movements and two loud bangs before both pilots ejected. These observations have not been identified by authorities as the confirmed cause of the crash.

The Royal Air Force confirmed that the aircraft was a Hawk T2 operating from RAF Valley and said an investigation was underway. The RAF has not yet released a cause for the incident.

The UK Ministry of Defence said both crew members had been taken to hospital for treatment. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said investigators were working to establish how and why the crash occurred.

As a precaution, the RAF temporarily paused Hawk T1 and T2 operations while the investigation continues. The Hawk T2 is a two-seat advanced training aircraft used to prepare pilots for flying frontline aircraft. RAF Valley is home to No. 4 Flying Training School, where fast-jet pilots receive advanced training.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Sources
The Guardian — RAF jet crashes and explodes in Anglesey
Sky News — RAF training aircraft crashes in Wales
ITV News — Two pilots injured after RAF plane crash on Anglesey
UK Ministry of Defence — Defence Secretary’s statement