Two RAF pilots eject before Hawk T2 jet crashes near Anglesey homes
Two military pilots suffered minor injuries after ejecting from a BAE Hawk T2 trainer that crashed near the village of Pencarnisiog in North Wales on Wednesday.
Ejection near Pencarnisiog
Two Royal Air Force pilots ejected from a BAE Hawk T2 jet shortly before the training aircraft crashed on the island of Anglesey in north-west Wales on Wednesday, 23 September 2026. The military jet came down in the vicinity of Pencarnisiog, a village located near the RAF Valley airbase. Emergency services reported that the aircraft struck the ground not far from local homes, generating a large fireball upon impact. Both crew members deployed their parachutes at low altitude to escape the descending airframe. North Wales Police confirmed that both airmen survived the incident with minor injuries.
Emergency response and medical evacuation
First responders arrived at the scene near Pencarnisiog following initial emergency calls. The operation involved North Wales Police, the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, the Welsh Ambulance Service, Helimed air medical teams, and Coastguard search helicopters. Police cordoned off the area around the wreckage and requested that the public avoid the site until further notice. Initial assessments confirmed that no residents were hurt and no surrounding residential structures suffered significant damage. The two pilots received immediate on-site medical attention before being airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham for further evaluation and treatment.
Two pilots are being treated for what are thought to be minor injuries, and there are currently no reports of any wider damage or injuries.
Eyewitness accounts of the takeoff
Eyewitnesses in Anglesey reported seeing the Hawk T2 encounter difficulties immediately after leaving the runway at RAF Valley. Video footage circulating across national news outlets captured the final moments of the flight, showing the troubled aircraft before the crew initiated their ejection. One witness cited by the BBC noted seeing an orange flame appear during the takeoff roll, with the plane appearing to be on fire as it accelerated and attempted a sharp climb. The low-altitude ejection occurred moments before the airframe hit the ground.
- Hawk T2 departs RAF Valley before witnesses observe flames.
- Both pilots deploy parachutes clear of the troubled aircraft.
- Aircraft crashes near residential properties, resulting in a fireball.
- Pilots receive initial treatment and are airlifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Training operations at RAF Valley
RAF Valley serves as a central hub for advanced military aviation training across the United Kingdom. The base houses No. 4 Flying Training School, where Royal Air Force and Royal Navy student pilots complete advanced fast-jet instruction. Trainees fly the BAE Hawk T2 to master complex weapons systems and high-speed tactics before transitioning to frontline combat aircraft, including the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. Defence officials noted that the geography and local weather conditions of Anglesey provide optimal flight simulation conditions for fast-jet crews. Following the incident on Wednesday, the Royal Air Force launched an official investigation into the technical failure.
An incident involving an RAF T2 Hawk aircraft, flying out of RAF Valley, occurred near Anglesey. An investigation is underway and we will not comment further at this time.
Investigation and site containment
Investigators from the military air accident team are examining the wreckage near Pencarnisiog to determine what caused the onboard fire and subsequent system failures. The UK Ministry of Defence has not issued additional statements regarding the operational status of the remaining Hawk T2 fleet. Local emergency teams and military personnel remain at the crash perimeter to oversee debris containment and ensure site security.
