A Red Arrows jet came close to a catastrophic collision when it flew just 100ft over a civilian plane following an air show.

The incident, the latest in a series of near-misses involving the RAF display team, occurred after the Festival of Flight show at Biggin Hill, Kent. But details of the incident last August were only made public last week with the publication of a report by the UK Airprox Board, which investigates near-misses in UK air space.

The report blamed the Red Arrows pilot and said ‘safety had been much reduced below the norm’. Investigators also expressed concern that plans to install a collision-warning system in the 40-year-old Hawk T1 jets used by the Red Arrows had not yet been implemented.

There have been at least two other near-misses involving the Red Arrows in recent years, including one when a team of nine jets came within two seconds of a collision with a Boeing 737 passenger plane returning from Spain in 2009.

The latest incident happened after ten of the Red Arrows jets lined up to leave Biggin Hill at ten-second intervals following the display.

The report said that the lead aircraft took off and veered left while waiting for the rest of the formation to follow him back to their base at RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire. But the RAF pilot failed to see a four-seater Cessna C172 before he soared over it.

The pilot of the lead Hawk was flying at 1,400ft when the light aircraft was ‘seen below and slightly to the left of the nose’. When he realised what had happened, the pilot radioed a warning to his colleagues on the ground and turned on his smoke stream to alert them to the Cessna. Analysis of radar later showed that at one point the jet was just 100ft above the Cessna, according to the report.

Local aircraft had been warned of the presence of the Red Arrows. The warning said the jets would be taking off at 5.55pm, but the lead Hawk was in the air at 4.49pm. The report said the Cessna pilot had warned his passengers to keep an eye out for the Red Arrows before he saw the first jet pass up in front of him. The report concluded that Biggin Hill air traffic controllers could have made ‘more efforts’ to seek air traffic information before the Red Arrows took off.

It added that the RAF pilots could have been alerted to the Cessna if contact had been made with area air traffic controllers at nearby Farnborough. The near-miss was blamed on ‘a non-sighting by the Hawk pilot’, but the report said both pilots had ‘an equal responsibility for collision avoidance’.

The report said investigators were ‘heartened’ that plans to implement a collision-warning system was being considered for ‘some point in the future’. But it expressed ‘disappointment that there was no fixed time frame for this yet’.

Another UK Airprox Board report revealed how a Red Arrows jet passed 300ft over a light aircraft near RAF Scampton in March last year. </s> Get the biggest Daily stories by email Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email

A Red Arrows jet missed a civilian plane by just 100 feet after taking off - sparking an investigation by officials.

The pilot did not see the civilian aircraft until he was flying over it, the UK Airprox Board ruled.

The incident happened on August 20, 2017, at 4.49pm, as the Red Arrow jet left Biggin Hill, near London.

The civilian aircraft was flying from Farnborough, Hampshire.

The information has been released by the Airprox board from a meeting held earlier this year.

It was ruled that the two pilots saw each other at the same time.

The report states: "This incident occurred in a busy area of airspace during a particularly high workload portion of the mission – departure and rejoin of multiple Hawks for onward transit.

"Without a surveillance-based Air Traffic Service, the Hawk pilot was relying on his own lookout to avoid other aircraft."

The civilian aircraft was first seen slightly left of the nose.

The report added that both pilots felt no avoiding action was necessary after seeing each other as the hawk jet, used by the Red Arrows, was in a left hand turn and the pilot of the civilian plane judged that "adequate separation already existed".

The report added: "The Board quickly agreed that it had effectively been a non-sighting by the Hawk pilot in that he had only seen the C172 as he passed over it, and then too late to take avoiding action.

"The Board spent some time assessing the risk.

"The radar replay indicated that the two aircraft were in very close proximity, but both pilots estimated the separation to be more than the 100ft shown."

There was a debate among the board as to whether the event was a Category B risk rating - where the safety had been compromised - but it was eventually agreed the event was a Category C rating.

This meant there was no risk of collision because the risk was averted or there was no risk in the first place. </s> Have your say

A Red Arrows jet has crashed after an incident at RAF Valley in north Wales.

“We are aware of an incident today at RAF Valley involving a Hawk aircraft,” a Ministry of Defence spokesman said.

“We are investigating the incident and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”

It is understood there were two people on board the jet.

READ MORE: Climber lost footing before plunging to his death from Fife cliff, inquest hears </s> Have your say

A Red Arrows jet has crashed after an incident at RAF Valley in north Wales, the Ministry of Defence has said.

A Red Arrows jet has crashed after an incident at RAF Valley in north Wales, the Ministry of Defence has said.

It is understood there were two people on board the Red Arrows jet aircraft which crashed on Tuesday.

"We are aware of an incident today at RAF Valley involving a Hawk aircraft," a Ministry of Defence spokesman said.

"We are investigating the incident and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."

North Wales Police confirmed they were in attendance and were called to the scene at around 1.50pm.

The world-famous aerobatic team performs stunts and daredevil displays, and flies the distinctive Hawk fast-jets.

Based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, all Red Arrows pilots have flown operationally in frontline aircraft before joining the display team. </s> A Red Arrows jet has crashed after an incident at RAF Valley in North Wales.

It is understood there were two people on board the Red Arrows jet aircraft which crashed on Tuesday.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We are aware of an incident today at RAF Valley involving a Hawk aircraft.

"We are investigating the incident and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."

North Wales Police and North Wales Fire Service confirmed they were called to the scene at around 1.50pm.

The world-famous aerobatic team performs stunts and daredevil displays, and flies the distinctive Hawk fast-jets.

Based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, all Red Arrows pilots have flown operationally in frontline aircraft before joining the display team. </s> LONDON - Britain's Royal Air Force says there has been an incident involving a Hawk jet at a base in north Wales, and the ambulance service says a plane has crashed.

The Hawk is the type used by the Red Arrows, the air force's aerobatic display team.

The Welsh Ambulance Service says it was called Tuesday afternoon "to reports an aircraft had crashed" at the RAF Valley base near Holyhead.

The air force says in a statement that "we are investigating the incident and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."

The Red Arrows' single-engine jet trainers are a familiar sight at air shows and military events. </s> An RAF engineer was killed on Tuesday when a Red Arrows jet crashed shortly after take-off at RAF Valley in north Wales.

The pilot survived the crash and is believed to have ejected seconds before the Hawk aircraft hit the ground at the base in Anglesey, bursting into a ball of flames.

 A plume of black smoke could be seen billowing over the base as witnesses described seeing the aircraft bank sharply and appear to loop before hurtling to the ground.

 It was the third Red Arrows fatality in seven years following two in 2011. All three have involved the Hawk T1, an ageing model due to be replaced by 2030.

 Last month, ejector seat manufacturer Martin-Baker Aircraft Company was fined £1.1 million after a breach of health and safety law led to the death of Red Arrows pilot Flt Lt Sean Cunningham.

 Several witnesses to yesterday’s crash, which occurred shortly after the plane took off at around 1.30pm, described seeing only one person eject from the aircraft. If the engineer did not eject, the investigation is likely to focus on why that did not happen.

 Prior to the crash, the team had completed routine training at RAF Valley and was headed back to the Red Arrows base at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire.

Onlookers described seeing the jet appear to loop before banking steeply and hitting the runway, transforming into a fireball.

Many saw one multi-coloured parachute emerge some 200 yards from the ground.

Unconfirmed reports suggested it was Red 3, whose pilot is 35-year-old David Stark, one of the Red Arrows new recruits.

Rob Jones, manager of nearby Anglesey golf club, said: “I heard an almighty bang. It sounded like a cannon going off – I don’t know if that’s from the ejector seat – but some of the golfers saw a parachute.

“I went to the door and all I could see was plumes of black smoke coming up.”

Peter Glover, 66, from Stockport, said: “There was a huge bang. The ground shook.

“It just hit the ground in a massive black ball and it set on fire.”

Sian Williams, 18, who was watching from nearby Rhosneigr train station said: ““From what I remember it did a loop and flew towards the runway and looked like it was about to land.

“As I was looking I saw the parachute of one pilot open and then the plane hit the runway with a bang and a crumbling noise.

“Then it just burned bright orange and there was smoke everywhere.”

The on-base fire engine drove out to the wreckage instantly, putting the flames out before an air ambulance arrived.

North Wales Police will lead a full investigation into the crash.

The RAF appealed to the public to send in any information or pictures of the incident, urging them not to share them on social media.

A spokesman said: “It is with great sadness that the MoD must confirm the death of an engineer from the RAF Aerobatics Team (the Red Arrows) in a tragic accident today.

“The serviceman’s family have been informed and have asked for a period of grace before further details are released. The pilot of the aircraft survived the incident and is currently receiving medical care.”

 Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, head of the RAF, said: “This tragic accident is a reminder that we must never take for granted the risks our people take in the service of our country. My deepest thoughts are with the friends and family of those involved at this terrible time.”

The Red Arrows had been training on RAF Valley’s flight simulators ahead of the forthcoming display season.

The world-famous aerobatic team performs stunts and daredevil displays, and flies the distinctive Hawk fast-jets.

All Red Arrows pilots have flown operationally in frontline aircraft before joining the display team.

Flt Lt Stark joined the team late last year after passing a tough recruitment process and was undertaking seven months of training.

He was born in Geneva before moving to the UK, where he was educated at the independent Nottingham High School and joined the RAF in 2005. He said last year that it was his “childhood dream” to join the Red Arrows and that he could not wait to start. TGN </s> An RAF engineer has died after a Red Arrows jet crashed in a "big fireball" at the air force's fighter pilot training ground in north Wales.

The pilot of the Hawk fast jet survived the accident at RAF Valley in Anglesey on Tuesday afternoon and is now in hospital, authorities said.

Witnesses reported seeing someone eject from the aircraft with a parachute before it smashed into the ground then "burned bright orange".

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier offered his "deepest thoughts" to the engineer's family, adding: "This tragic accident is a reminder that we must never take for granted the risks our people take in the service of our country."

Caterer Anne Wilson, 52, who works at The Anglesey Golf Club, at the end of the RAF Valley runway, told the Press Association: "I did not see the crash but I heard a very loud noise - we are used to the planes going over but this was unusual.

"I did go and have a look and there was a big fireball and lots of smoke... quite a few of the members actually saw it.

"They said the plane came in quite steeply and saw a pilot eject, but that it was very low to the ground when they ejected."

It is understood the Red Arrows aircrew had been at RAF Valley for routine Hawk simulator training - something that takes place once a month.

They had just taken off from the base and were on their way back to RAF Scampton, where the aerobatic team are based, when the incident happened.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson sent his "thoughts and prayers" to "the family, friends and colleagues of the RAF engineer at this incredibly sad time".

Sian Rebecca Williams, an 18-year-old student from Rhosneigr, north Wales, said she was waiting at Rhosneigr train station when the jet flew overhead.

"The Red Arrow came over and because I'd hardly seen one before I thought 'Wow, it's out'," she told the Press Association.

"From what I remember it did a loop and flew towards the runway and looked like it was about to land.

"As I was looking I saw the parachute of one pilot open and then the plane hit the runway with a bang and a crumbling noise.

"Then it just burned bright orange and there was smoke everywhere."

The on-base fire engine drove out to the wreckage "instantly", she said, putting the flames out before an air ambulance arrived.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch will now begin a full investigation into what caused the accident, North Wales Police said.

Some 1,500 service personnel, civil servants and contractors work at RAF Valley on Anglesey, which is also home to the military's search-and-rescue, post-crash team.

It is home to the No 4 Flying Training School which is "responsible for training the UK's next generation of world-class fighter pilots", according to its website. </s> A Red Arrows engineer has died after a Red Arrows Hawk jet crashed at a base in North Wales.

The incident happened at around 1.30pm this afternoon, Tuesday, March 20 at the RAF Valley training base on Anglsey.

A spokesman has said that one RAF engineer died as a result on the crash.

The Ministry of Defence has issued a statement saying that the pilot of the plane survived the incident and is currently receiving medical care.

A spokesperson for the MOD said: "It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of an engineer from the RAF Aerobatics Team (the Red Arrows) in a tragic accident today.

"The serviceman's family have been informed and have asked for a period of grace before further details are released.

"The pilot of the aircraft survived the incident and is currently receiving medical care."

Defence secretary Gavin Williamson said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues of the RAF engineer at this incredibly sad time."

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, head of the RAF, said: "This tragic accident is a reminder that we must never take for granted the risks our people take in the service of our country.

"My deepest thoughts are with the friends and family of those involved at this terrible time."

It is understood the Red Arrows aircrew had been at the base for routine Hawk simulator training - something that takes place once a month.

They had just taken off from the base and were on their way back to RAF Scampton, where the aerobatic team are based, when the incident happened.

The Hawk fast jet was destroyed in the crash.

Police in North Wales have also released a statement this evening.

Chief Inspector Simon Barrasford at North Wales Police, who is leading the initial response, said: ‘The aircraft involved, a Red Arrows Hawk crewed by two RAF personnel, was reported to have crashed. Sadly I can confirm that one of the two personnel has died whilst his colleague is now being treated in hospital.

"Our thoughts are with both men’s families at this very difficult time.’

Officials say police and crime scene investigators supported by other specialists will now begin a joint and full investigation led by the Air Accident Investigation Branch to establish what led up to and caused this tragic event. Until that time it would be inappropriate to add anything further. The Coroner for north west Wales will also be informed.

Chief Inspector Barrasford added: "North Wales Police are appealing for help from the public and local communities and so I’d ask if anyone sighted the Hawk aircraft this afternoon to contact North Wales Police via the live web chat http://www.north-wales.police.uk/contact/chat-support.aspx or by phoning 101.”
The UK Airprox Board reveals a Red Arrows jet came within 100ft of collision with a civilian plane last year.