Jonathan Harvey Bayliss · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 22/03/2018 the Senior Coroner commenced an investigation into the death of Jonathan Harvey Bayliss, aged 41. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 3rd December 2021. The conclusion of the inquest was a narrative.

At 13:25 on 20th March 2018 a Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (RAFAT) or “Red Arrows” Hawk aircraft TMk1/1A, tail number ████████, crashed on the airfield at RAF Valley whilst conducting a routine training exercise or sortie, which specifically included the performance of a Practiced Engine Failure After Take Off (PEFATO) manoeuvre.
The aircraft had two persons on board, the pilot in the front cockpit and the engineer in the rear cockpit. The pilot ejected 0.52 seconds before impact, sustaining a major injury. The engineer, Corporal Jonathan Bayliss, did not eject and could not be ejected by the front seat-initiated ejection system and was declared dead at the scene.

As identified by the Service Inquiry the cause of the crash was the aircraft stalling with insufficient height to recover. It was also recognised that the aircraft may in certain circumstances stall without pre-stall buffet. The pre-stall buffet remains the warning sign to the pilot of an impending stall. The Service Inquiry recommended that urgent investigations be undertaken into the incorporation of an artificial stall warning capability in the Hawk Mk 1 to provide sufficient warning to pilots during low speed low altitude manoeuvring. Whilst a feasibility assessment and cost benefit analysis have been undertaken a final decision is yet to be made as to whether or not the recommendations will be adopted. The current out of service date for the said aircraft is at least 2030. A number of RAF Aerobatic Team pilots will be flying every year (including a small number of new arrivals each year) and some circumn engineers are still being flown in the said aircraft.

It was recommended by the Service Inquiry that the Hawk TMk1/1A simulator training accurately reflects an aerodynamic model of a RAF aircraft aircraft with smoke pad fitted, given that this may soon become the only Hawk Mk1/1A operated by the RAF and the current training simulator did not have the effect of a smoke pod fitted. Whilst there are developments in this respect there is no new synthetic trainer in place as yet.