“Two dead in RAF crash
Two RAF crew were killed when their aircraft crashed on the runway at a military base.
The Canberra aircraft, which had three people on board, crashed on the airfield at RAF Marham, in Norfolk, during a routine training exercise at 10.29pm on Thursday.
It is understood that one of the crew managed to eject from the plane before impact and was taken to a Nottingham hospital with severe back injuries.
A MoD spokesman said the jet was involved in a “touch and go” exercise, in which the crew practice taking off and landing .
No details of the deceased were released as next of kin were being notified of the incident, he added.
RAF Marham Squadron Leader Rem Merrick said: “Emergency services responded quickly and are now at the scene. A board of inquiry will be convened to investigate the accident.”
Earlier this year the crew of an RAF fighter jet based at RAF Marham managed to eject to safety moments before their plane crashed into the sea.
The Tornado pilot and navigator were picked up from their dinghies off the Northumberland coast, around 40 miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne, on July 22.
RAF Marham, situated six miles from Swaffham, is one of the busiest front-line stations in Britain, and boasts the largest single collection of offensive capability in the RAF.
It operates Canberra aircraft in the reconnaissance role and Tornado GR4A/GR4 aircraft in reconnaissance and attack roles, with one Canberra squadron and four Tornado squadrons on site.”
Taken from: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/040903/344/f1uev.html
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By: Nermal - 3rd September 2004 at 12:54
If this was the only T4 available, how will this affect the PR9s operational caperbility?
Might this speed the end of Canberras RAF life faster than even the MoD thought? – Nermal
By: Stieglitz - 3rd September 2004 at 11:58
This is sad news. My thoughts are with the families of the victims. 🙁
J.V.
By: mike currill - 3rd September 2004 at 11:20
Very sad news. my condolences to the families of the crew and the poor folks who have to conduct the inquiry. Hopefully they’ll come up up with an honest verdict this time and not call it pilot error to get the case closed as quickly as possible.
By: Arm Waver - 3rd September 2004 at 11:17
I was just going to amend my earlier post as I found the same statement…
Doesn’t diminish the loss though…
By: Maarvin - 3rd September 2004 at 10:45
Very sad news. My condolences to all involved.
By: stringbag - 3rd September 2004 at 10:44
Very sad news.
By: Arm Waver - 3rd September 2004 at 10:40
Tragic news indeed. Thoughts with the families and friends of those who died.
According to the article on the BBC on line news the MoD have said it was a Mark 9…
By: stewart1a - 3rd September 2004 at 10:34
very sad to wake up to this news i send my regards to everyone at RAF Marham.
By: Arabella-Cox - 3rd September 2004 at 10:25
Blimey John, was that really twelve years ago? I presume you mean Dave Hayward’s accident. That upset quite a few people I knew at the time, as we’d met him when he was OC 57 at Marham in the mid eighties. A very nice and personable chap, sadly missed.
Apologies for straying slightly off topic.
By: John C - 3rd September 2004 at 10:12
As well as passing condolences on to family and friends, I’d also like to spare a thought for the guys on the Squadron carrying out the board of enquiry. A friend (who’s now backseat on Tornado’s at Marham) was involved with the Wyton crash inquiry about 12 years ago while he was on Canberras. Not a nice task.
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By: Moggy C - 3rd September 2004 at 10:04
It is awful how the simplest bits of flying can sometimes turn round and bite you. A salutory lesson to all of us who push mortality to the back of our minds when flying.
Sad news.
Moggy
By: Arabella-Cox - 3rd September 2004 at 09:35
I caught mention of this on radio two this morning, very sad news. 🙁 My condolences to the families of the two who died, and best wishes for a speedy recovery for the survivor.
By: Barnowl - 3rd September 2004 at 09:13
Tragic news. My thoughts are with their families and friends.
By: whalebone - 3rd September 2004 at 09:11
Sad news indeed, my heart goes out to them and their loved ones.
By: Firebird - 3rd September 2004 at 09:03
The BBC report shows a picture of a PR.9 but with “three crew” mentioned it would have been a T.4.
If so, wasn’t that the only T.4 they had…….. 😮
Very sad, painful day for families and personnel at Marham. 🙁
By: Growler - 3rd September 2004 at 08:58
Dreadful news, and I’m sure a lot of us will be bracing ourselves for the media speculation.
My condolences to all involved.
By: Ashley - 3rd September 2004 at 08:55
Very sorry to hear this 🙁 My thoughts are with the families and friends of the crew
By: DGH - 3rd September 2004 at 08:47
Terrible news, thoughts are with there families.
By: LesB - 3rd September 2004 at 08:46
Saddened to hear of this tragic night-flying event. In offering my condolences to the families and friends of the aircrew I know I will be joined by the thousands of ex-Canberra men world-wide who will be just as shocked as I was to hear the news.
The BBC report shows a picture of a PR.9 but with “three crew” mentioned it would have been a T.4.
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September 3, 2004 at 8:21 am