RAF Hawk jet training paused as probe continues into Wales crash

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High speed Hawk fighter jet training has been "temporarily paused" by the RAF after two pilots ejected moments before their aircraft crashed , narrowly missing homes.

The Hawk T2 aircraft had taken off from the RAF Valley station on Anglesey prior to plummeting to the ground in the nearby Pencarnisiog area.

On Wednesday evening, the RAF said it had decided to pause Hawk operations as a “precautionary measure” whilst investigations are ongoing.

The Hawk T1, and newer T2 versions are transonic, two-seat training aircraft used to train fast jet pilots.

The T1 is used by the Red Arrows, whose flying has also been paused, but they are not due to fly until the weekend anyway.

A video of the crash shared on social media appears to show the two pilots ejecting from the aircraft before it nosedives and crashes in flames.

The footage shows a plume of smoke and fire erupting as the aircraft hits the ground, appearing to narrowly miss residential properties.

The pilots, who had been flying a training aircraft, are being treated for minor injuries.

In a post on X, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said an investigation had been launched into the crash.

One witness told North Wales Live he had watched the aircraft take off before the crash.

He said: “I knew straight away that it was in trouble – right on take-off there was an orange flame and as it accelerated it was basically on fire.

“As it gained altitude the flame disappeared but it was clearly in trouble.

“It climbed at an aggressive pitch… It pitched twice violently in the air and then there were two clear loud bangs.