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// DOSSIER — raf-hawk-t2-crash-wales
RAF Hawk T2 Crashes in Wales After Pilots Eject Safely
REL_TIME: 25 Sep 2026 11:14Z · LANG: EN
On September 23, 2026, a Royal Air Force (RAF) Hawk T2 training jet crashed near the village of Pencarnisiog on Anglesey, Wales, shortly after taking off from RAF Valley. Both pilots successfully ejected using zero-zero ejection seats before the aircraft struck the ground and burst into flames near local homes and a caravan park. Both crew members sustained minor injuries and were transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. In response, the RAF temporarily suspended all Hawk T1 and T2 operations, including those of the Red Arrows display team, while an official investigation into the cause of the crash gets underway.
// Background
RAF Valley on Anglesey is home to No. 4 Flying Training School, which utilizes Hawk T2 and Texan T1 aircraft to prepare pilots for frontline fast jets like the Eurofighter Typhoon and F-35B. The Hawk T2 fleet has experienced past technical issues, including a temporary grounding in January 2023 due to engine blade wear on its Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour Mk 951 engines. Furthermore, following the 2025 Strategic Defence Review, the UK Ministry of Defence issued a £360 million Request for Information in August 2026 to find a successor fleet for the Hawk T1 and T2 trainer aircraft.
// Key Developments
- Both aircrew members ejected shortly after takeoff from RAF Valley, receiving only minor injuries.
- The crashed jet landed near homes, agricultural buildings, and a caravan park, causing no ground casualties or major civilian property injuries.
- The RAF temporarily grounded its entire Hawk T1 and T2 operational fleets as a precautionary measure pending the investigation.
- Witnesses reported seeing an orange flame near the jet's engine on takeoff, followed by two loud explosions from the ejection seats.
- The crash occurred amid existing UK Ministry of Defence plans to replace the aging Hawk trainer fleet through a £360 million procurement program.
// Timeline
-
RAF Hawk T2 operations are temporarily paused due to engine blade wear issues following a runway incident at RAF Valley.
-
UK MoD issues a request for information for a £360 million program to replace the Hawk T1 and T2 advanced jet trainer fleets.
-
An RAF Hawk T2 aircraft takes off from RAF Valley, suffers trouble shortly after departure, and crashes in Pencarnisiog after both pilots eject.
-
Emergency responders extinguish the resulting ground fire; pilots are transported to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham for treatment.
-
The RAF announces a temporary pause on all Hawk T1 and T2 operations pending the outcome of the crash investigation.
// Perspectives
[Royal Air Force]
Suspended Hawk T1 and T2 flight operations as a precautionary measure while initiating a formal investigation into the crash.
[UK Ministry of Defence / Wes Streeting]
Expressed concern and well-wishes for the injured pilots while committing to publish detailed investigation findings in due course.
[Local Officials and Representatives]
Relieved that no ground casualties occurred while reiterating the important role RAF Valley plays in the local Anglesey community.
// Quotes
“An incident involving an RAF T2 Hawk aircraft, flying out of RAF Valley, occurred near Anglesey. An investigation is under way and we will not comment further at this time.”
“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.”
“A T2 Hawk aircraft went down shortly after take-off, both crew members ejected as you may have seen. I'm glad to say they've now been taken to hospital for treatment, and of course we're investigating how and why this happened.”
“The aircraft seat is designed for the pilot to be able to eject at zero speed and zero height, and that will allow enough time for the parachute to inflate, and then the pilots hit the ground.”
