What happened
The incident involved a solo training exercise originating from RAF Waddington. During the flight, atmospheric conditions worsened significantly, prompting air traffic control or mission command to instruct the pilot to abandon the aircraft. The pilot executed an emergency ejection sequence. Following the departure of the crew member, the unmanned airplane entered an uncontrolled dive and impacted the ground in a rural area west of RAF Fulbeck.
Findings
The official investigation determined that the primary factor leading to the loss of the airframe was the decision to abandon the machine due to adverse weather. The pilot survived the ejection without sustaining injuries, resulting in zero fatalities and no reported casualties on the ground.