Two rescued following Tornado crash

[jamieooh]

3 July 2012 | Scotland UK
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Two people have been picked up by helicopter after two RAF Tornado jets crashed in the Moray Firth, the RNLI has said.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the Tornado GR4s, which have a pilot and navigator, were from RAF Lossiemouth, on the Moray coast.

RAF Lossiemouth, the coastguard and RNLI have been alerted to the incident.

The MoD said one of the aircraft had been seen in the water and the other was classed as "missing".

Buckie, Invergordon and Wick lifeboats have been launched and an RAF helicopter has been involved in the search, which started at about 14:00.

The RNLI said the two people rescued have been flown to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

Group Captain Ian Gale, Station Commander RAF Lossiemouth, has made the following statement:

"It is with great regret that I must confirm the loss of two Tornado GR4 aircraft, from this station, in an incident in the Moray Firth today.

The circumstances remain uncertain but clearly this is a very serious incident.

"This incident involved four aircrew ‑ all personnel from this station ‑ and the thoughts of everyone here are with the families and friends of those involved. As I'm sure you will understand, this is an evolving situation and, as such, I am not prepared to comment at this time on their condition or speculate on the circumstances surrounding this
incident. However, I can confirm that two individuals have been recovered and two remain unaccounted for. Rescue operations are continuing and I would like to record my gratitude for the ongoing efforts of all those involved.

"I am confident that the Tornado aircraft on this station are operated as safely as they possibly can be ‑ however, today's incident is a stark reminder that the military operations and training we conduct are not
without risk. What happened today is under investigation and more details will be released by the Royal Air Force in due course. Until then, I would ask the media to respect that this is a difficult time for the family, friends and colleagues of those involved and for the whole of the RAF Lossiemouth community."

An MoD spokesman said: "The RAF are aware of an incident involving two Tornado GR4 aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth in the Moray Firth.

"The incident is being investigated and more information will be provided when available."

In January 2011, an uncontrollable engine fire caused a Tornado GR4 to crash into the sea off north west Scotland.
The aircraft - based at RAF Lossiemouth - suffered a problem in its right engine while on a training mission. The pilot and navigator in that incident managed to eject to safety and were treated in hospital in Inverness. An RAF board of inquiry investigation said the crew had acted calmly and professionally.

The following month, a Tornado crew was forced to eject after experiencing problems landing at RAF Lossiemouth. The RAF confirmed the two crewmen ejected safely during the incident. The pilot and navigator were taken to hospital, but were not thought to have been seriously injured.

Developed in the 1960s and 1970s, the Tornado GR4 has seen almost 40 years of service with the RAF.

The aircraft were flown in action during operations in Libya last year.
http://www.bfbs.com/news/scotland/two-rescued-following-tornado-crash-58713.html

[jamieooh]

The RAF has confirmed that a Tornado crew member died in a crash in the Moray Firth yesterday.

Two others are missing, presumed dead. A fourth crew member is in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

Station Commander at RAF Lossiemouth, Group Captain Ian Gale, says: “Following the incident involving two of our Tornado GR4 aircraft in the Moray Firth yesterday, it is with great sadness that I must confirm the death of one of the crew members, an officer from 15 (Reserve) Squadron, based here at RAF Lossiemouth.

“Two additional personnel remain unaccounted for. Due to extremely poor weather conditions in the area, the RAF and Her Majesty’s Coastguard have made a joint decision not to resume search and rescue operations.

“The operation will be resumed as a recovery operation as soon as possible, but we must be realistic: given the length of time that has elapsed since the accident, there is no expectation of recovering missing personnel alive.

“The Royal Air Force is in contact with the next of kin of all those involved. As I am sure you will understand, they have asked for a period of time to take in the news and inform extended family members before further details are released. The Royal Air Force intend to respect this and I would ask the media to do likewise.

“Clearly, this incident will be subject to full investigation, and a Service Inquiry will be led by the Military Aviation Authority. It is important that we establish the facts of what happened and it is vital that the investigation is allowed to take its course. But the priority now is to ensure that the families of those involved receive the support they need at this most difficult of times.”

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond says: "This is clearly a very serious incident and my thoughts are with the loved ones of those affected.

"I understand rescue services have done all they can to help with the situation and offer my thanks to all those involved. The Scottish Government stands ready to offer any necessary assistance, and we will make a further statement once more details are confirmed."

Moray MP Angus Robertson, the SNP's defence spokesman, says: "My first thoughts are with the crew, their families and colleagues.

"Everyone in Moray has a connection with the RAF and this incident will be felt right across the community.

"The priority must now be for the support of the affected families and for the authorities to investigate the causes of this incident and ensure the future safety of flying operations and personnel."

Tornado aircraft have been involved in crashes in Scotland in recent years.

In January last year two RAF crew were rescued after their Tornado GR4 jet came down in the sea off the west coast of Scotland.

The crew, from RAF Lossiemouth, ejected from the plane before it landed in the waters at Loch Ewe, near Gairloch, Wester Ross.

RAF Lossiemouth, on the Moray Firth coast, is home to three squadrons of Tornado GR4s.

The Tornado GR4 is a two-seat attack aircraft, capable of delivering a variety of weapons and reaching a maximum altitude of 50,000ft (15,240m).

In July 2009 an RAF pilot and navigator were killed when their Tornado jet crashed into a hillside in Argyll.

Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Thompson, 27, and Flight Lieutenant Nigel Morton, 43, died in the crash near the village of Arrochar.

The aircraft was an RAF Leuchars-based Tornado F3 on a routine flight