| Accident summary | |
|---|---|
| Date | 11 February 2009 |
| Type | Mid-air collision |
| Site | Porthcawl, Wales |
| Total injuries | 0 |
| Total fatalities | 4 (all) |
| Total survivors | 0 |
| First aircraft | |
| Type | Grob Tutor |
| Operator | Royal Air Force |
| Tail number | G-BYUT |
| Flight origin | MOD St Athan |
| Destination | Kenfig |
| Passengers | 1 |
| Crew | 1 |
| Injuries | 0 |
| Fatalities | 2 (all) |
| Survivors | 0 |
| Second aircraft | |
| Type | Grob Tutor |
| Operator | Royal Air Force |
| Tail number | G-BYVN |
| Flight origin | MOD St Athan |
| Destination | Margam |
| Passengers | 1 |
| Crew | 1 |
| Injuries | 0 |
| Fatalities | 2 |
| Survivors | 0 |
The Porthcawl mid-air collision occurred just before 11 am on 11 February 2009 when two Royal Air Force single-engine propeller aircraft collided close to the town of Porthcawl in South Wales.[1] The Grob Tutor aircraft were from an Air Experience Flight based at MOD St Athan, which gives flying training to RAF Air Cadets.[2]
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The two Tutor training planes clipped wings in midair at around 5,000ft, and it was reported that one individual was seen to jump out of one of the aircraft. Wreckage from the two aircraft came down in clear weather less than a mile from the M4 motorway and a mainline railway line. The Grob planes had been involved in 20-minute "air experience" flights from RAF St Athan, Vale of Glamorgan.[3]
One eyewitness told the Daily Telegraph that she observed the aircraft before the aircraft collided. "I just couldn't believe it. At first there wasn't an explosion straight away but then there was. They just went down." A pub landlord in Porthcawl added "what people are saying is that there was a loud bang and they saw one aeroplane spinning to the ground but there are two aeroplanes involved. The fire brigade extinguished some of the flames and the other plane carried on for another mile and came down towards Margam."[4]
It was reported that debris from the two aircraft came down, nearly hitting staff from the Kenfig Nature Reserve, who were working just below where the accident occurred. It was widely reported that at least one of the two aircraft was on fire after it hit the ground, and over 90 firefighters arrived at the scene following the accident.[5]
Two flying instructors from 1 Air Experience Flight along with two female air cadets from 1004 SQN (Pontypridd), who were cousins, died in the collision.[6][7]
The cousins who were on an Air Experience Flight (AEF) were:
The two RAF personnel were:
An investigation was carried out into the causes of the accident. It highlighted visibility problems with the aircraft involved and recommended that all Grob Tutor aircraft operated by the RAF be fitted with collision avoidance systems. It was further recommended that visibility from aircraft cockpits be a consideration in future aircraft purchases.[8]