RAF pilot forced to avoid light aircraft

AN RAF fighter pilot had to dodge a light aircraft over Loch Ness, an official investigation has heard.

The Typhoon jet was flying at almost 500mph at 360ft when the incident occurred on July 19.

The pilot said he entered a lowlevel system at 3pm, 20 miles southwest of Lossiemouth in Moray – and avoided collision with a light aircraft entering low-level at a similar point.

Four minutes later, he again transmitted his position as ‘entering the Great Glen heading south-west’.

At the southern end of Loch Ness, he climbed briefly to maintain minimum separation distance against power lines and subsequently spotted a light aircraft 3,000ft ahead and 200-300ft above.

The pilot took avoiding action by manoeuvring left and down to ensure separation – the closest point was estimated to be 1,000ft.

He assessed the risk of collision as ‘low’ – but the light aircraft could not be tracked down.

A report by Air Command HQ to the UK Airprox Board, which investigates reported near misses, said the pilot was conducting low-flying training.

The board concluded: ‘Unfortunately, this incident did not show on the National Air Traffic Services’ radar due to the height of the aircraft and so the light aircraft pilot could not be traced.

‘This meant the board only had the Typhoon pilot’s report on which to base their assessment of the incident.

‘Ultimately, members agreed that “see-and-avoid” had worked in this incident in that the Typhoon pilot was able to see the light aircraft with enough time to take avoiding action and ensure there was safe separation between them.’