RAF suspends some training flights after jet crash left two pilots in Birmingham hospital

The RAF has launched a full investigation and suspended flying operations involving two types of training jet after an aircraft crashed in Wales, leaving two pilots requiring hospital treatment in Birmingham.

The two pilots were taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital after safely ejecting from a Hawk T2 jet which crashed near RAF Valley on Anglesey on Wednesday (September 23).

Both are expected to make a full recovery following the incident, which prompted a major emergency response shortly before 2pm.

Police, fire and ambulance crews attended the scene after the aircraft, which was assigned to 4 Flying Training School, went down.

The RAF has confirmed that a formal investigation into the cause of the crash is now under way, with all Hawk T1 and T2 flying operations temporarily suspended as a precaution.

A spokesman for the RAF said: "Both pilots are doing well, they are in extremely good spirits and are expected to make a full recovery."

The pilots were transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, which is home to the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine and provides specialist treatment for injured military personnel.

The hospital has longstanding links with the armed forces, treating service personnel injured during military operations and providing specialist medical care.

The Hawk T2 aircraft involved in the crash is used to train RAF fast jet pilots before they progress to frontline aircraft.

The jet was assigned to 4 Flying Training School, based at RAF Valley, which provides advanced fast jet training for military pilots.

Air chief marshal Sir Richard Knighton said his thoughts were with the pilots, their families and everyone affected by the incident.

An RAF spokesman confirmed that flying operations involving both Hawk variants had been halted while investigations continue.

He said: "As a precautionary measure, the RAF has temporarily paused Hawk T1 and Hawk T2 flying operations."