Overview
- On Wednesday a Hawk T2 departed RAF Valley and developed visible trouble soon after takeoff before crashing in the Pencarnisiog area after both crew ejected.
- Emergency services including North Wales Police, fire crews, the Welsh Ambulance Service, air ambulances and the coastguard attended, secured the wreckage and brought the fire under control.
- The Royal Air Force has opened a formal investigation into the incident and ordered a temporary pause to Hawk T1 and T2 flying operations as a precaution.
- Both aircrew were located shortly after ejection, treated for minor injuries and the RAF says they are doing well and expected to make a full recovery.
- The crash adds pressure to a Hawk T2 fleet that has faced engine reliability and availability problems and follows MoD planning to seek a Hawk replacement, raising concerns about near‑term training capacity.