Red Arrows pilot ‘shaken’ after bird strike
A RED ARROWS air show was halted when the cockpit of one of the jets was smashed in a bird strike.
One of the jets, Red 6, was forced to break off from the rest of the team as glass shattered during the Rhyl Air Show in north Wales on Sunday.
Spectators heard a “loud pop” before Red 6 broke off from the rest of the seven-strong formation.
Gregor Ogston, its pilot, gave an “emergency 7700 squawk transponder code” to signal an emergency as the jets gave their display. Red 6’s team-mates were then left over the seaside town until they received permission to return to Hawarden airport. The crowd were later told Red 6 had been the victim of a “bird strike”, where a bird had collided with the jet mid-air. It struck the section of the jet’s glass cockpit just inches from the pilot, leaving him exposed to the elements.
One witness said: “That pilot is lucky to be alive.
“Anything could have happened in that moment –Top Gun for real.”
A spokesman for the Red Arrows said: “[We] had to finish today’s Red Arrows display a few minutes early after one of our jets suffered a bird strike, damaging the cockpit canopy.
“This type of incident is not uncommon in aviation and is extremely welltrained for. In this instance, Red 6 and the whole team responded perfectly together, with no further risk to the pilot and aircraft.
“Happy to report the jet landed safely and the pilot is unhurt. Thank you for [many] messages of support, asking about the pilot.”
The pilot of the plane is said to be “a bit shaken” after the incident. In response to the RAF Red Arrows social media post David Montenegro, the officer commanding the Royal Air Force Aerobatic team, praised the pilot.
Wg Cdr Montenegro added: “His immediate actions delivered calmly and correctly with the support of his colleagues ensured a safe outcome.”
The seven red Hawk T1 jets left Hawarden at 4.30pm on Sunday for their second performance of the weekend at Rhyl Air Show. The team were due to arrive back at Hawarden at 5.10pm but just after 4.45pm Red 6 squawked the emergency code. That triggered a response from the onsite fire service at Hawarden airport which was on hand as the jet landed.
Red 6 was followed to the airport by another member of the team to ensure a safe route home and landing.
The other pilots were given a hero’s welcome back at Hawarden and treated to a round of applause by bystanders as they disembarked.
An RAF spokesman said: “Incidents such as these are not uncommon in aviation and pilots are extremely well trained for [them]. The action of the pilot and his colleagues ensured the aircraft and pilot landed safely.”
It is understood the Red Arrows’ programme will be unaffected with displays taking place at the Bournemouth Air Festival from Thursday.