RAAF Hawk Coffs Harbour

[patrick woodward]

Anyone up Coffs way have any details on RAAF Hawk forced to make a landing there today??? Photos even??

Cheers...

[Nigel C]

From www.news.com.au

Powerlines may have forced down jet

August 13, 2008 02:46pm


A RAAF jet may have clipped powerlines during a training mission over the New South Wales coast, sparking a mid-air emergency.

The aircraft was one of two Hawks on a routine training run today along the coast, north of Newcastle, a defence department spokesman said.

"About 11am (AEST) one of the aircraft pilots declared an aircraft emergency and diverted to Coffs Harbour Airport to land,'' he said.

"One Hawk landed safely at 11.40am (and the) other has returned to Williamtown (near Newcastle).''

The spokesman said no one was injured during the incident and the aircraft would be examined to find the cause of the emergency.

He could not confirm reports the jet sustained visible damage to one of its wings.

''(We are) looking into the possibility of the aircraft clipping powerlines,'' he said.

The jet circled over the ocean as emergency services, including two ambulance crews, waited at Coffs Harbour Airport for the landing.

"The aircraft was circling over the ocean to receive a standard damage check from the other Hawk pilot,'' the spokesman said.

"While circulating the aircraft was also burning off fuel to reduce its landing weight.''

The Hawk fighter training jet typically carries two personnel and is widely used in airforce training.

[patrick woodward]

Gotta love news.com...

Cheers..

[NickN]

No mention of anything Qantas related in there either, thats a relief.

[Stephen Brown]

http://www.nbntv.com.au/index.php/2008/08/13/emergency-landing-of-raaf-hawk/

[David C]

So the aircraft hit powerlines and "sparked " a mid air emergency ... I dare say it would . Pretty big sparks too I guess ..;) .... Just my weird sense of humour at work again ..

Dave C

[Tony P]

They state hitting power lines just after take-off. Would this be fromWilly or Coffs? rather a long way to go from Willy to Coffs if you've just hit a powerline. Even with circling out over the ocean.

Pic Here:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/lowflying-top-guns-a-real-goose/2008/08/13/1218306976853.html

[patrick woodward]

I believe it may have happened 25 miles to the east of Armidale NSW...

Thanks

[ChrisG.]

Having flown that country you describe Patrick (east of Armidale), while doing low level survey, I can confirm there is a valley around there that has high tension power lines crossing it at a great height from the bottom of the valley.

They would be quite easy to hit if unaware of them and doing low level sorties like the guys in the Hawk's do.

Chris

[patrick woodward]

Thanks for that Chris... pro pilots with a good result in trying times im thinking...

Cheers

[Tony P]

High tension lines would / should be displayed on a chart. I know the ones around Syndey and Melboune are displayed on the WAC Chart. Shall be interesting if (and a big if) we hear more.

[ChrisG.]

I have no doubt they are Tony, but as you'd probably imagine, when you're operating low level, it's easy to become distracted, and studying a map isn't generally something recommended at low level, :D.

Chris

[Tony P]

Agree Chris. Be interesting if there were two pilots on board though.

Look forward to more info if it become available. Very lucky.

[Mick.B]

From the Video of the Hawk landing it did appear to have 2 pob. If that was the jet in question.