Pilots eject as stricken jet crashes into woods
TWO Royal Navy pilots were forced to eject before their Hawk jet crashed yesterday.
The pilots, of 736 Naval Air Squadron, had been on a flight from RNAS Culdrose, near Helston, Cornwall. They were flying a Hawk T1 jet – a two-seater which is also used by the Red Arrows.
Last night all 36 of the military’s Hawk T1 aircraft were temporarily grounded pending an investigation, the Ministry of Defence said.
The pilots ejected before the plane hit the ground and were found about half a mile from the main crash site. They are said to be in a stable condition and without ‘significant injury’ in Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.
Witness Layla Astley said: ‘I saw the plane flying low over our house, I heard a clunking sound, it flew on over our fields and then there was a loud crack and we saw two pilots ejecting.
‘ I watched as their parachutes opened. I then saw the plane bank left and over the top of a hill before hearing a very loud bang.’ A parachute hanging off a tree was later found at the scene.
Vanessa Glossop, who lives near the crash site in Cornwall, said the accident had sounded like ‘a huge piece of machinery going over a cattle grid’.
It is the first Royal Navy ejection in 18 years, according to ejection seat maker Martin-Baker.
The crash comes months after a report warned of safety issues in the Hawk T1 aircraft.
A Defence Safety Authority report said that the jet required ‘long outstanding’ safety modifications.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: ‘Two pilots are being checked by medics after ejecting from a Royal Navy Hawk aircraft from 736 Naval Air Squadron during a flight from RNAS Culdrose. An investigation will begin in due course.’