Red Arrows engineer killed and pilot injured as plane crashes
AN RAF engineer was killed yesterday when a Red Arrows jet crashed shortly after take-off at a base in North Wales.
The pilot survived the crash and is believed to have ejected seconds before the Hawk aircraft hit the ground and burst into flames at RAF Valley on Anglesey.
A plume of black smoke could be seen billowing over the base as witnesses described seeing the aircraft bank sharply and appear to loop before hurtling to the ground. It was the third Red Arrows fatality in seven years.
Yesterday’s crash occurred shortly after take-off, just before 1.30pm. The team had completed flight simulator training at RAF Valley and was returning to its base at RAF Scampton, Lincs.
Several witnesses described seeing only one person eject from the aircraft. If the engineer did not eject, the investigation is likely to focus on why that did not happen. Unconfirmed reports suggested that the crashed plane was Red 3, whose pilot is Flt Lt David Stark, 35, one of the team’s newest recruits. Witnesses saw one multi-coloured parachute emerge some 200yds (180m) from the ground.
Rob Jones, manager of nearby Anglesey Golf Club, said: “I heard an almighty bang. It sounded like a cannon going off – I don’t know if that’s from the ejector seat – but some of the golfers saw a parachute. I went to the door and all I could see was plumes of black smoke coming up.” Peter Glover, 66, from Stockport, said: “There was a huge bang. The ground shook. It just hit the ground in a massive black ball and it set on fire.”
Sian Williams, 18, who was watching from nearby Rhosneigr railway station, said: “It did a loop and flew towards the runway and looked like it was about to land. I saw the parachute of one pilot open and then the plane hit the runway with a bang and a crumbling noise. Then it just burned bright orange and there was smoke everywhere.”
North Wales Police will lead a full investigation into the crash while the RAF appealed to the public for information or pictures of the incident.
A spokesman said: “It is with great sadness that the MOD must confirm the death of an engineer from the RAF Aerobatics Team (the Red Arrows) in a tragic accident today. The serviceman’s family have been informed and have asked for a period of grace before further details are released. The pilot of the aircraft survived the incident and is currently receiving medical care.”
Last night Theresa May, the prime minister, said: “My condolences to the family of the RAF engineer who sadly died today on Anglesey. My thoughts are also with the pilot and with the Red Arrows following this tragic incident.”
Flt Lt Stark joined the Red Arrows late last year and was undertaking seven months of training.
Seven years ago, Flt Lt Jon Egging became the first Red Arrows pilot to die in a crash for 33 years when the 33-yearold from Rutland was killed during an air show near Bournemouth Airport.
Three months later, Flt Lt Sean Cunningham, 35, fell to his death when his ejection seat fired before take-off.
The Hawk T1, involved in all three incidents, is an ageing model due to be replaced by 2030. It had been due to be retired in 2020 but in 2015 that date was extended by 10 years. In October MPS warned that the age of the fleet, dating back to the Seventies, was affecting its reliability to perform.
‘I saw the parachute of one pilot open and then the plane hit the runway with a bang and a crumbling noise’