Overview
On 20 March 2018, a Royal Air Force (RAF) Hawk T Mk1A, tail number XX204, crashed on the airfield at RAF Valley during a routine training sortie. The aircraft had departed RAF Valley with the intention of conducting a Practice Engine Failure After Take-off (PEFATO) before transiting to RAF Scampton. Two personnel were on board: a pilot in the front cockpit and an engineer in the rear cockpit.
Accident Details
The accident occurred at approximately 1325 hours local time. The pilot successfully ejected and sustained a major injury. The engineer, Corporal Jonathan Bayliss, did not eject and was declared dead at the accident scene. The aircraft sustained significant damage.
Investigation
The Defence Safety Authority convened a Service Inquiry (SI) on 29 March 2018 under the Armed Forces Act 2006 and JSP 832. The SI Panel comprised a President, an Engineering Member, and an Aircrew Member, with legal advice from a DSA Legal Advisor and technical support from the Defence Accident Investigation Branch. The Terms of Reference directed the Panel to investigate the cause, contributory factors, equipment serviceability, training, supervision, human factors, and post-crash management, among other aspects, and to make recommendations to prevent recurrence.
Personnel and Aircraft
The aircraft was a Hawk T Mk1A operated by the RAF. The pilot held the front cockpit, and the engineer was in the rear. The pilot's ejection resulted in a major injury; the engineer's death was confirmed at the scene. The aircraft was destroyed.
Sequence of Events
The sortie was intended as a routine training mission, beginning with a PEFATO at RAF Valley then proceeding to RAF Scampton. The aircraft crashed on the airfield at RAF Valley. Detailed timeline and cockpit recordings were examined by the inquiry.