Bird strike causes RAF Hawk to overshoot runway

[Ian K]

A RAF Hawk jet practising a forced landing ended up in a real emergency after reportedly hitting a goose.

It overshot a runway at Mona airfield on Anglesey at 10:50 BST on Friday and ended up in a safety net.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-24083134

[viking9]

Ian, your post reminded me of just how long the Hawk has been in RAF service. In the early 80's at Northolt one day the tannoy advised us that there was a Hawk approaching for an emergency landing after a bird strike. We were surprised, as single engine jets were prohibited over London. He touched down safely and parked on the dispersal in front of my office. We could see that the front screen was shattered and there was a large dent to the nose on the port side.

A couple of groundcrew pushed a set of steps up to the side and as the young pilot stepped onto the platform there was tumultuous applause from the assembled crowd of service and civilian personnel. The young pilot smiled and waved happily to the crowd but his happiness was short-lived as the WingCo Ops arrived in his Mini and proceeded to give him a loud, public bollocking for insisting on making for Northolt. This was met with boos and shouts of  "Leave him alone" from the crowd, including some of the aircrew.

[Ian K]

 Nice one