Two fighter jets avoid crash on training mission

TWO fighter jets narrowly avoided a headon collision while on a training mission over north Wales.

The Hawk and Tornado aircraft were in the skies above Glantwymyn on the “Mach Loop” when radio contact was lost.

The instructor in the Hawk managed a steep climb to avoid the collision.

A report by the UK Airprox Board said: “During the transit the student transmitted their planned entry and exit points. A Tornado formation responded with their intentions to exit the loop. The Hawk QFI [instructor] perceived the Tornado crew’s situational awareness was that the Hawk was north, heading south, which gave the instructor cause for concern and he told the student to head north.”

As the student turned they saw the Tornado heading towards a collision course with their aircraft, and the instructor carried out the manoeuvre to avoid a crash.

The board report into the incident in July found neither pilot could have seen the other any sooner, and that the actions of both pilots were acceptable.