Overview
- A Hawk T2 left RAF Valley and, after showing signs of trouble, plunged into a field near Pencarnisiog on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, after both crew ejected and the jet crashed and burned.
- Both aircrew were located quickly, treated for minor injuries and the RAF says they are doing well and expected to make a full recovery.
- The RAF has launched a formal investigation and has temporarily paused Hawk T1 and T2 flying as a precaution while wreckage and maintenance records are examined.
- Multiple videos and eyewitnesses show flames, violent pitching and two orange parachutes deploying, and RAF Valley’s station commander said pilots steered the jet toward open ground to avoid built-up areas before ejecting.
- The Hawk T2 fleet has a recorded history of engine reliability and availability problems and the UK has sought a replacement; investigators have not yet linked past faults to this crash but the pause could reduce training capacity and affect upcoming display commitments.