An RAF Pilot has been grounded after hitting a lamppost at 600mph in his Jaguar attack jet. The wing clipped the airbase light at 54ft after the pilot, from RAF Cottishall, Norfolk, decided on a low-flying run after completing a week of training. | "Just one low pass, then to the club for drinks......oops!" |
The collision happened at a coastal base near Akrotiri in Cyprus. According to reports in The Sun, the pilot wrestled control of the jet after the incident, headed out to sea before returning to the base and "slamming" the plane on the runway. | I'm sure his crew chief had a few words for him about "slamming" his plane into the runway. |
RAF police have impounded the £25m plane and the pilot has been grounded pending an investigation. He now faces an official reprimand and court martial, which could cost him his wings. | The only thing he'll be flying now is a desk, if he's that lucky. |
According to reports, the pilot was cleared by the control tower to make a pass of the base, but was ordered not to go below 200ft. | The lamp post was 54 feet high, methinks he was a tad bit low. |
The collision is understood to have ripped off the tip of the wing containing navigational lighting and wiring. Repairs could cost as much as £2m. The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that an investigation has been launched. | Nobody, but nobody flies lower than the RAF. I've seen video of them flying down the autoban during an exercise back in the day, going under the overpasses. |
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