RAF Hawk T2 crash under investigation after fuel cap report

A Royal Air Force Hawk T2 crashed in Anglesey on September 23 after catching fire shortly after takeoff, with both pilots ejecting and sustaining minor injuries. The Defence Accident Investigation Branch is investigating the crash, and the RAF has not established whether a missing fuel cap caused or contributed to it. The aircraft was flying from RAF Valley when it developed problems soon after departure and came down on farmland near Pencarnisiog and Afallon Caravan Park. Group Captain Gez Currie, station commander at RAF Anglesey, said the pilots steered it toward what they believed was open ground to avoid built-up areas before ejecting. Reports say investigators found the fuel cap had not been replaced before takeoff and that its absence is a significant part of the investigation. The missing cap was reportedly associated with a separate, gravity-fed fuel inlet. However, the available information does not establish that it caused the aircraft to catch fire or crash. Some sources also raised the possibility of a major engine failure, but no final investigation findings have been provided. The RAF said it would not comment further while the investigation is ongoing. Its Hawk...