Tornados down

[Scorpy]

Search after two RAF jets crashed in Moray Firth

The RAF is co-ordinating a search and rescue after reports of two RAF Tornado jets crashing in the Moray Firth.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the Tornado GR4s were from RAF Lossiemouth, on the Moray coast.

RAF Lossiemouth, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and RNLI have been alerted to the incident.

Buckie and Wick lifeboats have been launched and an RAF helicopter has been involved in the search for the aircraft and crew.

The MoD said: "The RAF are aware of an incident involving two Tornado GR4 aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth in the Moray Firth.

"The incident is being investigated and more information will be provided when available."

Midair??

[Connaught Stranger]

The BBC is reporting that two people (one pilot, one navigator) were picked up by the RNLI and taken to hospital. Hope they're both ok and that the other crew is found shortly.

Connaught Stranger.

[pmtts]

The current search pattern of Coastguard Rescue 101.

[RoyalGreenJacket]

Update on the incident:

The RAF has confirmed that one crew member has died and two remain unaccounted for following an incident in the Moray Firth area involving two Tornado GR4 aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth on Tuesday.

Group Captain Ian Gale, Station Commander of RAF Lossiemouth, has made the following statement:

"Following the incident involving two of our Tornado GR4 aircraft in the Moray Firth yesterday, it is with great sadness that I must confirm the death of one of the crew members, an officer from 15 (Reserve) Squadron, based here at RAF Lossiemouth.

"A second crew member remains under medical care, where he is in a serious but stable condition."

[Flamingo]

Some interesting comments from an "unnamed source" on the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-18700794

A family member of a serving member of the RAF at Lossiemouth told the BBC of concerns among the families of personnel about the risk of crashes.

The person, who asked not to be named, said cutbacks, staff shortages and long working hours had put pressure on air and ground crews.

They said: "The reason that these crashes are happening is because everybody is undermanned, the engineers are overworked.

"The planes are too old. They can no longer fix them properly."

The family member added: "There's so much uncertainty. The guys are flying around with that in their heads and that is causing a massive amount of stress."

[RoyalGreenJacket]

Some interesting comments from an "unnamed source" on the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlan...lands-18700794

only relevant if the accident was due to any of the above.

at times like this it is very easy to find the disgruntled only too happy to put their ten pence worth in.

flying fast jets tactically in bad weather is always going to increase the risks.

a full investigation should highlight what went wrong and why.

it looks like only one survivor from the 4 crew of the 2 Tornado jets.

sad news indeed.

[spider]

Wreckage found - hopefully with remains inside.

RIP Airmen.