Moment RAF Hawk jet crashes into fireball as pilots eject and deploy parachutes
An RAF Hawk jet has crashed on Anglesey on Wednesday afternoon after taking off from RAF Valley, with two pilots ejecting from the aircraft shortly before it came down
An RAF aircraft erupted into a fireball when it plummeted to the ground in Anglesey today, with both crew members spotted deploying their parachutes after ejecting from the plane.
Reports suggest the Hawk jet came down shortly after departing from RAF Valley this afternoon (September 23). Both crew members bailed out of the aircraft moments before it crashed, as an air ambulance has touched down near the scene.
A huge fireball erupted when the plane crashed, with video revealing an enormous column of dense smoke rising from the wreckage site. Witnesses have reported seeing the RAF Hawk jet seemingly ablaze shortly after lift-off, as they observed the moment both aviators ejected from the aircraft.
The plane erupted into a fireball upon crashing(Image: John Heyworth)
In a latest statement from North Wales Police, both pilots are receiving treatment for minor injuries. Speaking to North Wales Live, one onlooker said: “We watched it take-off, we’re on shoreside and have watched hundreds take off. I said to my wife it’s in trouble as I could see flames as it took off.
“We watched it climb then it as it was parallel with us it started to pitch up violently twice.. then both pilots ejected and the Hawk crash about a mile away.”
Pete Bennett also witnessed the incident while standing ‘shoreside’ observing the aircraft departures. He said: “I watched it take off, like we have watched of planes take off before. I knew straight away that it was in trouble, right on take off there was an orange flame and as it accelerated it was basically on fire.
The moment the two trainee RAF pilots eject from the Hawk jet(Image: X)
“As it gained altitude the flame disappeared but it was clearly in trouble. “It climbed at an aggressive pitch – like the pilot of trying to gain altitude. It pitched twice violently in the air and then there were two clear loud bangs. It was probably at around 800ft at this point.
“The pilots ejected and both parachutes opened. The plane rolled to starboard and then slowly descended and crashed maybe a mile, hopefully in a field. There was a huge wall of fire and black smoke. The air crew came down around half way between the runway and where the plane crashed, which I’m guessing was around a mile inland from RAF Valley.”
Further witnesses have reported hearing a thunderous bang and spotting a massive plume of black smoke.
Two parachutes were spotted in the air(Image: John Heyworth)
A North Wales Police spokesperson said: “Local officers are currently in attendance to reports of an incident involving an RAF training aircraft in the Pencarnisiog area of Anglesey, alongside colleagues from the Royal Air Force, North Wales Fire and Rescue Services, Welsh Ambulance Service University Health Trust and Helimed.
“Two pilots are being treated for what are thought to be minor injuries and at this stage there are no reports of any wider damage or injuries. Please avoid the area until further notice. Updates will be issued when appropriate.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
