Red Arrow jets hit off Crete

Deborah Haynes, Defence Editor & , : {}

Two Red Arrows collided mid-air over Crete during a training session yesterday in the first such crash in almost 40 years. Both pilots survived, but one was taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder and minor injuries after ejecting from his aircraft.

The bright-red Hawk jets had been taking part in pre-season training before they were due to fly to Cyprus for a full display practice, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said.

It is not known whether all nine Red Arrows in the team were present or just the two that collided.

Two Hawk aircraft from the Royal Air Force Red Arrows Aerobatic Team collided whilst undertaking pre-season training at Hellenic Air Force Base Kastelli in Crete, the spokesman said.

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Flight Lieutenant Mike Ling ejected in mid-air, while his 5 million Red Arrow crashed onto the runway. The aircraft was described as severely damaged on impact.

The second pilot, Flight Lieutenant Dave Montenegro, managed to land his plane safely with no injuries.

An inquiry will take place to establish the cause of the collision, which happened at around 1.50pm local time.

Flying at high speed and in close formation, the world-famous aerobatic team have suffered a number of crashes and collisions since they started performing displays in the 1960s.

The Red Arrows Hawk jets reach speeds of up to 550mph during their routines, which include the trademark diamond nine formation, as well as barrel rolls and loop-the-loops. The team puts on 80 to 90 shows across the world every year.

It was not clear how yesterdays collision would impact on the teams performance schedule.

The MoD spokesman said: The 2010 season training will continue as soon as possible.

The Red Arrows keep a tenth plane in reserve in the event of technical problems.

The last time two Red Arrows collided was in 1971 when four pilots were killed and two aircraft destroyed during training over RAF Kemble in Gloucestershire.

The Diamond Nine are now based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire.