A Royal Air Force (RAF) Hawk T2 advanced jet trainer crashed near RAF Valley on the island of Anglesey, North Wales, on the afternoon of September 23, 2026. Both pilots ejected. Police said their injuries were thought to be minor.
“An incident involving an RAF T2 Hawk aircraft, flying out of RAF Valley, occurred near Anglesey,” an RAF spokesperson said in a statement to media. “An investigation is underway and we will not comment further at this time.”
Footage of a British RAF aircrew ejecting from their stricken Hawk trainer over Wales this morning. pic.twitter.com/hfI6VoI5g6
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) September 23, 2026
The RAF said both pilots were located shortly after ejecting. North Wales Police said officers were responding to an incident involving an RAF training aircraft in the Pencarnisiog area of Anglesey. The RAF, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, the Welsh Ambulance Service and the Helimed air ambulance were also at the scene.
The force said the two pilots were being treated for what were thought to be minor injuries. As of its statement, there were no reports of any wider damage or injuries.
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service later said the fire at the crash site was under control and asked the public to avoid the area.
Crash hits RAF Hawk T2 training fleet
RAF Valley is home to No. 4 Flying Training School, which uses the Hawk T2 to prepare pilots for the Typhoon and the F-35B.
Before the crash, the school operated a fleet of 28 Hawk T2 aircraft, which has had persistent availability problems.
In January 2023, the RAF temporarily paused Hawk T2 flying after an engine issue on the runway at RAF Valley. The problem was reportedly linked to blade wear on the aircraft’s Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour Mk 951 engine.
UK searching for Hawk replacement
The loss comes as the UK Ministry of Defence looks for a successor to the Hawk.
The 2025 Strategic Defence Review called for the Hawk T1 and T2 to be replaced by a more cost-effective fast jet trainer.
On August 7, 2026, the ministry published a request for information for a new advanced jet trainer covering both the training fleet and the Red Arrows. The Defence Investment Plan puts £360 million ($485 million) behind the program. The response window closed on September 11, 2026.