Tri-Service

'RAF Typhoons Came Within Feet Of Catastrophic Crash With C-130'

Two RAF Typhoon jets reportedly came within feet of a "catastrophic" crash with a C-130 Hercules because a novice pilot failed to see it.

One of the £87 million planes was being flown by an "inexperienced" pilot who was wearing night-vision goggles for the first time, according to the Sun.

The supersonic jets, which are capable of reaching speeds of 1,500mph, are said to have passed within 500ft of the huge C-130.

Experts revealed a crash could have taken place had the novice pilot listened to instructions to pull up as the aircraft passed the cargo plane. Investigators into the incident said:

"Members thought that it had been fortuitous that the No2 pilot had not assimilated the climb instruction issued by his leader because, if he had, this would probably have resulted in him climbing towards the C-130. This was clearly a worrying incident with a potentially catastrophic outcome."

"This was an alarming incident which has been subject to a thorough internal investigation.

"As a tactical pair, the formation leader takes responsibility for the avoidance of other traffic.

"In this case the lead was also working both the Air Traffic frequency as well as the ground controller’s frequency due to the fact the number two was inexperienced."

Investigators also confirmed the C-130 aircraft did not belong to the RAF.

A US C-130

The near-collision reportedly happened as the aircraft took off from RAF Dishforth near Harrogate, North Yorkshire, in February.

It's not yet clear whether disciplinary action was taken against either of the pilots. A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said:

"Millions of flights are made in UK airspace each year but despite that only a very small number of air proximity reports are made of which even less identified that the safety of our aircraft may have been compromised, underlining the professionalism of the commercial, military and private aviators that use it."

"Safety continues to be of paramount importance to us and the three armed services continue to work hard to ensure that air safety considerations are at the core of all our aviation activity.

"We welcome all recommendations made in all airprox reports, which are designed to ensure we learn the lessons of any incidents and do whatever we can to prevent them from happening again."