Latest news with #UKAB
BBC News
22-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
RAF Valley jets in near miss with small civilian aircraft
Two RAF jets narrowly missed a small, civilian aircraft, according to a new investigators' two Hawk Jet pilots from RAF Valley on Anglesey were within two miles of an unidentified C42 microlight aircraft when they were told of its presence, the UK Airprox Board (UKAB) report started a gentle turn to the south, spotted the two-seater and passed above and in front of it, the report report added that crew estimated the jets were 150ft (46 meters) above the aircraft and approximately 100ft (30m) to its side during the incident in January. Low cloud on the day meant the two RAF jets could not increase their height to 2500ft over the Menai Strait following a low level exit as the RAF Valley Flying Order Book recommends, according to the report. Air traffic control contacted Caernarfon Aerodrome to enquire who was operating the aircraft in question, and were told it was not local to report said the unidentified pilot had not been in communication with Valley air traffic control or Caernarfon airport air traffic control."It is likely that if even one of the above was different, the (incident) would have been more distant and the probability of a collision reduced substantially further," the report report said the civilian pilot "could not be traced".
North Wales Chronicle
22-07-2025
- General
- North Wales Chronicle
Anglesey: RAF Hawk planes' near miss with civilian aircraft
But a report from the UK Airprox Board (UKAB) found that this incident, shortly after 3.30pm on January 30, did not cause any injuries. The report stated that, following an exit from low level via the A5 pass at Bethesda, the Hawks contacted Valley Approach. After reaching a height of 2,000 feet, the pilots were informed of 'non-cooperating traffic' over the Menai Straits. READ MORE: Holyhead Poundland shop to stay amid 68-store closure plan Anglesey residents celebrate £400K Postcode Lottery windfall Air Traffic Control contacted Caernarfon Aerodrome to ask who was operating the civilian aircraft in question, but was told it was 'not local to Caernarfon'. The RAF Hawks passed 150 feet above the two-seater civilian plane, and 100 feet to the side of it – there was deemed a 'medium' risk of a crash. The UKAB said in its report that the recommended action would have been for the jets to reach a higher altitude of 2,500 feet, but this was not possible in this instance due to low clouds. No information was given about the occupant of the civilian aircraft. HQ Air Command added in the report: 'RAF Valley conducted a thorough and professional local investigation into this Airprox. 'The C42 pilot may have been following the CAA's Skyway Code guidance to fly to the right of line features such as the coast, also reflected as guidance in RA2307. 'The Caernarfon entry into the AIP states aircraft 'are to fly at 1500ft or below in the Menai Straits area,' but the Valley DAM wording of 'encouraged to fly at or below 1500ft' is perhaps more realistic. 'A strong relationship with Caernarfon is evident, but some pilots think compliance with the law is all that's required. 'The RAF tries to engage with them and take best advantage of all means to share airspace responsibly. It can't be assumed that all aircraft will follow local procedures.' The UKAB concluded: 'The board also agreed that whilst the 'letter of the law' had required the Hawk formation to have given way to the C42, the C42 pilot had elected to conduct their flight without taking the precautions that should be expected when operating close to a military aerodrome with fast-jet traffic.' Taking such precautions, the board said, 'could have resolved this situation before exposing all the pilots involved to an increased risk of collision'.
North Wales Live
22-07-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
RAF Hawk jets in 100ft near miss with mystery plane over North Wales
Two RAF Hawk jets had a near miss with a mystery civilian plane over Anglesey, a report has found. The incident happened near Brynsiencyn, one kilometre north of the Menai Strait earlier this year. Investigators found that the jets passed 150ft above the two-seater civilian plane, and 100ft to the side of it, with the risk of a collision described as "medium". No-one was hurt. A report by the UK Airprox (Air proximity) Board UKAB said the incident took place on January 30 at 3.35pm. It said the two Hawks had been flying westwards over the A5 area near Bethesda. Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday They climbed to 2,000ft and were told there was a "non-cooperating aircraft" nearby - which was "non-squawking" and "non-talking" on the radio - near the Menai Strait. The UKAB said it is recommended that they climbed from their 2,000ft altitude to 2,500ft but on this occasion it wasn't possible due to low cloud. The Hawk pilots turned gently south to try to spot the civilian C-42 plane which they did. It was ahead of them, two miles away and passing right to left, the UKAB reported. The Hawk pilots decided to fly over and ahead of it. There is no information about who was flying the civilian aircraft. The UKAB found: "Crew recollection estimated a height separation of approximately 150ft and lateral separation of approximately 100ft. "During the in-brief, ATC, (air traffic control) who were aware of the incident, and the Executive Flying Supervisor were informed of the Airprox. Furthermore, ATC contacted Caernarfon Aerodrome and enquired as to who was operating the aircraft in question. Information received from Caernarfon indicated that the aircraft was not local to Caernarfon." The UKAB noted there was a cloudbase of about 2,200ft and that the civilian pilot was apparently not using their fitted transponder, nor speaking to Valley air traffic control. Nor had three-way communications taken place between that pilot, Valley ATC and Caernarfon ATC. The UKAB found: "It is likely that if even one of the above was different, the (incident) would have been more distant and the probability of a collision reduced substantially further.
