**RAF Hawk Jets in Near-Miss with Mystery Civilian Aircraft Over Anglesey**
A pair of RAF Hawk jets narrowly avoided a potential collision with an unidentified civilian aircraft in the skies above Anglesey earlier this year, according to a report newly released by the UK Airprox Board (UKAB). The incident, which occurred near Brynsiencyn, just north of the Menai Strait, has raised concerns about air traffic safety and the challenges of unidentified aircraft operating without proper communication.
The event unfolded on the afternoon of 30 January, at approximately 3:35pm, as the two military jets were on routine manoeuvres westwards over the A5 corridor by Bethesda. At an altitude of 2,000 feet, their onboard systems alerted the pilots to the presence of another aircraft in the vicinity. This unexpected contact, described in the report as both “non-squawking” and “non-talking,” was neither emitting a transponder signal nor communicating with air traffic control (ATC).
Investigators determined that the aircraft in question was a two-seater civilian plane, flown by a pilot whose identity remains unknown. The lack of communication and visibility on radar significantly reduced the ability of air traffic controllers to track the aircraft’s movements and ensure the safety of all in the airspace.
With weather conditions hampering the standard safety procedure of climbing to 2,500ft due to low cloud base at around 2,200ft, the Hawk crews opted for a gentle southward turn in an attempt to both spot and avoid the civilian plane. According to the investigation, the military pilots finally located the C-42 model aircraft two miles ahead, tracking from their right to left.
Making a swift but measured decision, the Hawk crews flew over and ahead of the unidentified civilian plane, passing approximately 150ft above and 100ft to the side of it. This manoeuvre was critical in ensuring there was no contact between the jets and the smaller aircraft. The level of risk was classified as “medium” by the UKAB, reflecting the seriousness of the near-miss, though, fortunately, there were no reports of injury.
Details about the civilian plane and its pilot remain scarce. An attempt by air traffic control to trace the aircraft’s origin, including contacting Caernarfon Aerodrome, failed to yield any answers, as the plane was not registered there. The UKAB’s report pointedly notes that the pilot was not utilising the onboard transponder and made no effort to communicate with Valley ATC, the military’s regional traffic centre.
The investigation also highlighted the lack of any three-way communication between the pilot, Valley ATC, and Caernarfon ATC—an element that, if in place, could have significantly reduced the risk of such a close encounter. “It is likely that if even one of these elements was different, the incident would have been less severe and the probability of a collision much less,” the Board stated.
Air traffic controllers, for their part, were praised for their rapid, accurate, and proactive response to the developing situation, which allowed the Hawk pilots sufficient time to spot and avoid the unidentified craft. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of full transponder use and regular radio contact with air traffic authorities, highlighting potential gaps in the system when these protocols are not followed.
With the skies above North Wales seeing significant military and civilian aviation activity, this event brings renewed attention to aviation safety practices, particularly in shared airspace and areas where low cloud or other weather conditions may impact visibility.
The UKAB has called for greater pilot vigilance and a refresh of safety guidelines to ensure that all operators, regardless of aircraft size or purpose, understand their responsibilities when transiting busy or militarily significant corridors, such as that above the Menai Strait. As investigations continue, authorities urge anyone witnessing suspicious or unsafe flying to report their observations to the appropriate authorities, underlining public participation as a crucial strand of airspace vigilance.