Forums Forums National News Red Arrows Hawk crashes near Bournemouth :(

Source

I hope the crew managed to eject in time. Thoughts are with them all

There is only one but I echo your sentiments.

There's the pilot and the Circus, which I make 2 per plane. I meant as in all of the Red Arrows & support crew when I said thoughts are with them all.

That's 2 per plane for a flypast.

What is a circus? Bearing in mind I spent two years on an RAF station and red arrows were always single seaters.

This from the BBC news story ;
'Both cockpit seats are fitted with Martin-Baker Mark 10B rocket boosted ejection seats.'

The Red Arrows use Hawk T1 trainer aircraft which are twin-seaters though I think they generally only have single crew for shows.

Even in the days of the Gnats, the Red Arrows used the trainer two seater version and that is going back some time.

Oh dear - the Pilot didn't make it. BBC news item was just updated. (see link in OP)
RIP.

A full engineering investigation has been undertaken into potential faults found on the Martin-Baker Mk10B ejection seats fitted to Hawk T Mk 1 aircraft QUOTED ON 5 AUGUST 2010
http://www.armedforces-int.com/news/hawk-flight-ban-lift-sees-red-arrows-return.html
It really makes you wonder how much care is taken to routine safety in light of the accident in Crete last year. http://www.armedforces-int.com/news/raf_red_arrows_crash_updated.html
Although they look absolutely wonderful with all the acrobatic displays and smoke, how much intensive training and concentration can they take under pressure? And how much stress, even if it is not obvious, can they tolerate knowing that one slight error, whether it is theirs or a fault, can see them lose their life? I do admire them though and love watching their displays but shudder at the thought of even a slight miscalculation in their manoeuvres. Its so sad to see someone so young lose their life. Hopefully the RAF with hold a full investigation and find the cause.

We'd been told just after that it was Red 4 but didn't want to believe it. Only 4 weeks ago, I was on cloud 9 having been entertained by Jon & the rest of the Reds. I feel so sorry for Emma, his wife, as she was there watching.

It's been a hellish afternoon but nothing compared to what they must all be feeling.

RIP Jon Egging - thank you for the amazing memories. You'll never be forgotten Eggman. You flew with the best, now fly with different wings.

So sad! Last time I saw them fly was in Brize Norton when they where bringing home lost boys from 'stan

RIP

Driver error, obviously.

Not obviously at all!! Jon may well have given his life to make sure the Hawk didn't end up in someones house and kill them! He could have easily banged out but he steered away from residential areas. I think that shows what an amazing pilot he is/was* and moreso what kind of person he is/was*.

Best not to make assumptions until we have the facts.

* Still can't get my head round it.

A machine like that does not fail.

R.I.Peace to the guy. He went out enjoying himself.

Of course they do! Not every single mm of every single part can be checked by the mechs or circus every time they fly. There's plenty of incidents of planes and helo's failing.