RAF Hawk T2 Crashes Near RAF Valley: A Hawk T2 training jet crashed near Pencarnisiog on Anglesey after both pilots ejected and landed with minor injuries. Video shows flames near the rear/engine bay before the aircraft climbed and later crashed. The RAF has temporarily paused Hawk training while investigators probe the incident; ejection seats likely saved the aircrew.
What Video Footage Reveals About the RAF Hawk T2 Crash Near RAF Valley
The RAF plane crash happened near Pencarnisiog [BBC]
The Royal Air Force is investigating after a Hawk T2 training jet from RAF Valley crashed near Pencarnisiog on Anglesey following an incident in which both pilots ejected and parachuted to safety moments before the aircraft hit the ground and ignited.
What Happened
The two-seat BAe Systems Hawk T2 departed RAF Valley and subsequently plunged to the ground close to Pencarnisiog. Both aircrew ejected and sustained minor injuries; North Wales Police said they were being treated. The RAF has temporarily paused training flights on Hawk jets as a precaution while an investigation is under way.
What The Footage Shows
Video circulated on social media and shared by former RAF pilot and BBC security analyst Mikey Kay appears to show flames issuing from the rear fuselage or engine bay as the aircraft rolled along the runway. The fire seems to subside as the jet climbed. Later clips appear to capture both pilots ejecting before the jet pitched down, struck the ground and burst into flames.
Mikey Kay: "You never, ever see flames coming out of the back of a Hawk. In this footage the flames look to be coming off the side of the engine bay—near hydraulic components—rather than from the exhaust."
Technical Notes And Safety Systems
The Hawk T2 is an advanced two-seat jet trainer with a glass cockpit, designed to emulate the controls and handling of frontline fighters. The jets used at RAF Valley do not use afterburners (reheat), so visible exhaust flames like those seen on aircraft with reheat systems (for example, some variants of the F/A-18) would be unusual.
The cockpit layout normally accommodates an instructor and a student. Ejection options include individual ejection—each pilot pulling a black-and-yellow ring between their legs—and a "command ejection" where one action triggers both seats in sequence. An MDC (miniature detonation cord) shatters the canopy to clear the path for the seats. The ejection seats fitted to the Hawk are designed to function at very low altitude and low speed to maximize survivability.
Local Training Environment
RAF Valley provides basic and advanced fast-jet training and sits near the Machynlleth Loop (Mach Loop), a popular low-level training area and attraction for aviation enthusiasts. The Ministry of Defence designates 20 low-flying or tactical training areas across the UK for such exercises.
Other Details
Kay noted the presence of a red-and-white spotters' van trackside; it was not an official air traffic control vehicle and therefore could not order the aircraft to abort. While spotters can relay observations to controllers, any warning would likely come too late to affect an aircraft already airborne.
The RAF has not provided a timeline for concluding the investigation or for lifting the training pause. Authorities and accident investigators will examine maintenance records, telemetry, video, and witness statements to determine the cause.
Bottom Line
Video evidence suggests a fire originating near the engine bay preceded an in-flight emergency and the successful ejection of both pilots. The ejection seats appear to have been decisive in saving their lives, and a formal investigation will determine the underlying cause.
Help us improve.
