Two Eurofighter Jets Involved In Fatal Collision In Northern Germany

A library picture of two German Eurofighters (Picture: Luftwaffe).

A pilot has been killed after two German Eurofighter Typhoons collided and then crashed in the northeast of the country.

Both pilots involved in the incident managed to eject from the jets but only one managed to survive. 

The German Air Force said the aircraft were taking part in an air combat exercise when they crashed near Laage Air Base.

In a tweet, the air force said another Typhoon pilot "observed the collision" and "reported that two parachutes descended to the ground".  

The jets, which are based at Laage near Rostock, were not armed. 

A Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region spokeswoman said: "I can confirm that there was an accident involving two aircraft in northern Germany."

A video posted online shortly after the incident showed two plumes of smoke rising from the ground.

Tim Ripley, an aviation expert at IHS Janes, told Forces News: "From what the initial reports suggest, they were taking part in air combat manoeuvring training, sort of simulated dog fights. 

"It seems two of the planes inadvertently touched."

The Eurofighter Typhoon is also used by the Royal Air Force and Mr Ripley said there have not been any safety issues involving the aircraft before. 

"So far, the RAF hasn't lost a single Eurofighter in a crash, the Germans haven't lost any and the Spanish have only lost a handful," he said.

"It's a very good record and it has never been involved in any sort of major issue around the safety of the aircraft."