Watch: RAF T2 Hawk jet crashes and bursts into flames in North Wales after two pilots eject mid-air; video goes viral

A Royal Air Force (RAF) Hawk T2 trainer aircraft crashed in North Wales on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. Following the crash, the high-speed jet burst into flames and caused plumes of smoke near the RAF Valley base during a training exercise.

Multiple video clips emerged on social media platform X, showing the moment when the two pilots ejected the high-speed aircraft seconds before it crashed. The ongoing exercise was paused following the incident, which occurred when the aircraft was flying out of the RAF Valley base in Anglesey, AFP reported.

Pilots suffered minor injuries

Giving an update on the crash, UK Defence Minister Wes Streeting said that an investigation was launched into the incident. Speaking at a press conference, he stated that the two pilots were receiving treatment in hospital "and of course we’re investigating how and why this happened." According to police, the pilots are believed to have suffered minor injuries.




The RAF further stated on X that it had decided "to temporarily pause Hawk T1 and T2 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.

Witness recounts moment jet caught fire during takeoff

While speaking to North Wales Live, a witness recalled the moment when the jet took off. "On take-off there was an orange flame, and as it accelerated, it was basically on fire," the witness said, as quoted by AFP.