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RAF jets avoid crash 'by chance' RAF jets avoid crash 'by chance'
(about 18 hours later)
"Only chance" prevented a collision when two RAF Hawk jets had a high-speed near-miss, passing within 30ft (9m), of each other, it has emerged."Only chance" prevented a collision when two RAF Hawk jets had a high-speed near-miss, passing within 30ft (9m), of each other, it has emerged.
The planes, one with a pilot and student pilot and the other in a formation of three, were near RAF Valley, Anglesey, last December.The planes, one with a pilot and student pilot and the other in a formation of three, were near RAF Valley, Anglesey, last December.
The UK Airprox Board (UKAB) said the "big sky theory" and a "see-and-avoid" principle had not assured safety.The UK Airprox Board (UKAB) said the "big sky theory" and a "see-and-avoid" principle had not assured safety.
RAF Valley held an investigation and has taken several follow-up actions.RAF Valley held an investigation and has taken several follow-up actions.
The near miss happened 16 nautical miles south east of RAF Valley in good weather at around 1530 GMT on 3 December 2008 and was graded as an "A," the most serious category.The near miss happened 16 nautical miles south east of RAF Valley in good weather at around 1530 GMT on 3 December 2008 and was graded as an "A," the most serious category.
The training flight, known as the singleton, carrying a pilot and student pilot, was flying from Llanbedr to RAF Mona, a small satellite airfield connected to RAF Valley, and was descending from 7,600ft (2,300m).The training flight, known as the singleton, carrying a pilot and student pilot, was flying from Llanbedr to RAF Mona, a small satellite airfield connected to RAF Valley, and was descending from 7,600ft (2,300m).
The second plane was one of three TMK1 Hawks flying in an arrow formation heading north west and descending through 5,000ft (1,500m) while en route to Valley.The second plane was one of three TMK1 Hawks flying in an arrow formation heading north west and descending through 5,000ft (1,500m) while en route to Valley.
"It is our duty and moral obligation to highlight failings in the way that we conduct our operations in order that others may benefit." AOC (air officer commanding) of Valley's training group"It is our duty and moral obligation to highlight failings in the way that we conduct our operations in order that others may benefit." AOC (air officer commanding) of Valley's training group
According to the UKAB report published on Wednesday, the pilot of the No 2 plane in the formation spotted the singleton "in very close proximity to the formation's No 3 (on his left) so he immediately instructed No 3 pilot to pull up to in order to avoid a collision".According to the UKAB report published on Wednesday, the pilot of the No 2 plane in the formation spotted the singleton "in very close proximity to the formation's No 3 (on his left) so he immediately instructed No 3 pilot to pull up to in order to avoid a collision".
"No 3 immediately initiated a hard, wings-level pull-up to avoid the singleton Hawk.""No 3 immediately initiated a hard, wings-level pull-up to avoid the singleton Hawk."
Investigators said the singleton Hawk pilot described how "another Hawk appeared over the top of the front cockpit from the 5 o'clock position at high speed and in a descent".Investigators said the singleton Hawk pilot described how "another Hawk appeared over the top of the front cockpit from the 5 o'clock position at high speed and in a descent".
Both pilots "somewhat unusually" agreed the miss distance was about 30ft horizontally, with the singleton pilot saying there was a "high risk of collision," the report said.Both pilots "somewhat unusually" agreed the miss distance was about 30ft horizontally, with the singleton pilot saying there was a "high risk of collision," the report said.
Radar readings later showed the pair were less than 100ft or 30m apart vertically as they crossed paths.Radar readings later showed the pair were less than 100ft or 30m apart vertically as they crossed paths.
The planes returned to RAF Valley and Mona without further incident but the report concluded neither the formation nor the singleton knew of each other's presence prior to the near miss.The planes returned to RAF Valley and Mona without further incident but the report concluded neither the formation nor the singleton knew of each other's presence prior to the near miss.
Both pilots agreed the 'miss distance,' the report saidBoth pilots agreed the 'miss distance,' the report said
RAF Valley conducted a formal flight safety investigation and several follow-ups actions were taken.RAF Valley conducted a formal flight safety investigation and several follow-ups actions were taken.
But the report noted the AOC (air officer commanding) of Valley's training group expressed concern that the near-miss nearly went unreported due to "cultural issues" surrounding the reporting of such incidents.But the report noted the AOC (air officer commanding) of Valley's training group expressed concern that the near-miss nearly went unreported due to "cultural issues" surrounding the reporting of such incidents.
The officer wrote: "No effort should be spared in ensuring that individuals, especially those students under our charge, are both willing and confident to speak up.The officer wrote: "No effort should be spared in ensuring that individuals, especially those students under our charge, are both willing and confident to speak up.
"It is our duty and moral obligation to highlight failings in the way that we conduct our operations in order that others may benefit.""It is our duty and moral obligation to highlight failings in the way that we conduct our operations in order that others may benefit."
'Three dimensional''Three dimensional'
The investigation board concluded the two pilots were "operating legitimately" but could have seen and avoided the other aircraft earlier.The investigation board concluded the two pilots were "operating legitimately" but could have seen and avoided the other aircraft earlier.
It said the incident served as a good example to all pilots, not only military pilots, that however difficult, "lookout, must be three-dimensional, particularly in well-known busy areas".It said the incident served as a good example to all pilots, not only military pilots, that however difficult, "lookout, must be three-dimensional, particularly in well-known busy areas".
RAF Valley has been asked to comment on the UKAB report.RAF Valley has been asked to comment on the UKAB report.
This month, RAF Valley put on show its six new training jets, the BA systems Hawk T2 trainer.This month, RAF Valley put on show its six new training jets, the BA systems Hawk T2 trainer.
The T2 has more complex navigation and weapons simulation software which closer resembles front-line planes like the Typhoon or the Harrier jump-jet, both of which are used in Afghanistan.The T2 has more complex navigation and weapons simulation software which closer resembles front-line planes like the Typhoon or the Harrier jump-jet, both of which are used in Afghanistan.
An MOD spokesperson said: 'RAF Valley conducted a formal Flight Safety Investigation into the incident and several actions have already been initiated'.