Saw a blue new age saloon out near the Harrier crash site yesterday, I was in the next field flying my paramotor.

 

Hi Jack,

Not me but we were on our way back from RAF Fairford,when jet came down.Any news on the cause , Birds - Pilot error ?

Cheers Red.

 

Couldn't get anyone to tell my why it went down, but I was told that the pilot walked in the pub and had a drink, fair play.

 

Might've been me, I did go up for a nosey but couldn't get anywhere near. Get a good view from your paramotor?

 

It was a birdstrike that brought it down.

 

Not from what I've seen.
RAF Board of Inquirery is still open, so we will have to wait a short while longer before we officially know the cause. However, I do know that the engine was apparently operating perfectly well up to the point of impact.....

There wasn't an awful lot of the airframe of the plane left recognisable after the crash and fire - the majority of the plane is carbon fibre and just turned to dust.

 

Just going by what a guy I know who works on ARTF told me.

 

The good thing is that it took out a cop car on its way. ;-)

 

They said on the news that it was an off duty cop in his own car.

 

Not quite as good then.

 

I flew right over it as there were no restrictions in place, still couldn't see a lot, burnt field, missing hedge and a pile of dust. Not even worth getting the camera out.