Royal Scare Force! Bird-strike terror as Red Arrow’s cockpit is shattered
A RED Arrows pilot was showered with glass when a bird slammed into the canopy on his jet as he flew at hundreds of miles an hour over a seafront crowd.
Squadron Leader Gregor Ogston, 35, was forced to break away from the rest of the formation after his £5million Hawk jet hit the bird head-on over Rhyl, North Wales.
Thousands of holidaymakers standing on the packed seafront suddenly heard a ‘loud pop’. With the wind howling inside his cockpit, Squadron Leader Ogston sent an SOS to colleagues.
The ‘7700 squawk transponder code’ triggered an emergency response on the ground, with fire engines scrambling at nearby Hawarden airport.
Another aircraft from the display team escorted Red 6 down and Squadron Leader Ogston landed safely to applause from those on the tarmac at around
‘Delivered calmly and correctly’
5pm yesterday. Last night Wing Commander David Montenegro, the officer commanding the display team, said: ‘The pilot is a bit shaken but well. His immediate actions, delivered calmly and correctly and with the support of his colleagues, ensured a safe outcome.’
Seven Red Arrows Hawk T1 jets – capable of more than 640mph – were taking part in yesterday’s display, part of this year’s Rhyl Air Show.
Squadron Leader Ogston, a fourthyear Red Arrows pilot from Aberdeenshire, previously flew RAF Tornado jets.
A RAF spokesman added: ‘This type of incident is not uncommon in aviation and is extremely well-trained for. Red 6 and the whole team responded perfectly together.’
The incident came as the Red Arrows continue to attract attention for the wrong reasons.
The unit is under investigation over bullying and sexual harassment claims dating back several years.