According to a report by the British newspaper The Guardian on September 23, a Royal Air Force jet aircraft crashed and exploded over Anglesey in North Wales during training flights. Both pilots were ejected and survived shortly after the accident.
Witnesses said that the Hawk T2 aircraft took off from the Royal Air Force Walee base in the western part of the island at the time of the incident.
A video of the crash shows that the plane seemed to be unstable during its climb before the pilot ejected. Subsequently, the plane descended towards the ground, carrying smoke behind it, and crashed near houses and agricultural buildings, with a huge fireball rising into the sky.
Video screenshot of the explosion scene at Hawk T2
A Royal Air Force spokesman said: “A Royal Air Force T2 ‘Eagle’ aircraft, flying from RAF Waddington, had an accident near Anglesey. An investigation is underway, and we will not comment further at this time.”
It is reported that the crash site is less than two miles from the base. The Royal Air Force Wally Base is the location of the 4th Flying Training School, which uses “Eagle” T2 and Texan T1 aircraft to train fighter pilots.
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “Staff and officers handled the incident involving an aircraft in Anglesey, working alongside colleagues from the Royal Air Force, North Wales Police, Welsh Ambulance Service, and Welsh Aerial Ambulance. The fire is now under control.”
They added: “During the period when emergency services continue to operate in the area, the public is asked to avoid the region.”
Due to this crash, the local railway line has been closed temporarily.
Local resident Pete Bennett told “Wales Live” that there seemed to be a problem with the plane as soon as it left the runway. He said, “I knew right away that something was wrong. There was an orange flame as soon as the plane took off, and it was basically burning while accelerating.”
He described it as follows: "As the altitude increased, the flame disappeared, but there was obviously trouble. It climbed at a very steep angle, then made two violent dips in the air, followed by two loud, distinct sounds. The altitude was about 800 feet at that time. The pilot jettisoned both parachutes."
He stated that the explosion caused ‘huge flames and black smoke’, and added: ‘The crew landed at about halfway between the runway and the crash site. I estimate it was about one mile inland from the Royal Air Force’s Walee base.’
North Wales police said: "Two pilots are receiving treatment. The injuries are believed to be minor, and there are no reports of losses or injuries at this stage."
