A Royal Air Force (RAF) training aircraft declared an onboard emergency while flying over Liverpool this morning, according to official reports.
The T-6 Texan aircraft, operating as flight RRR59/VYT59 and identified by the call sign TEX2 (ZM343), transmitted a 7700 distress code shortly after departing from Anglesey Airport in North Wales, where RAF Valley is situated. The 7700 code is internationally recognised as a declaration of an in-flight emergency requiring immediate priority assistance and coordination by air traffic controllers.
Such emergencies can arise from various critical situations including mechanical failures, onboard safety threats, medical issues, or escalating circumstances that demand prompt intervention. Following the code transmission, air traffic control took necessary measures to clear the airspace and alert ground emergency services to ensure safety.
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The aircraft was promptly guided back to RAF Valley and landed safely just before 9.20am, approximately 30 minutes after takeoff. An RAF spokesperson confirmed the cause of the emergency as a birdstrike during a routine training flight. The spokesperson added, “The aircraft subsequently returned to base and landed without further incident. There were no injuries to the crew.”
The Beechcraft T-6 Texan is a widely used single-engine trainer aircraft employed by air forces around the world, including the Royal Air Force. The T-6C variant specifically serves as a primary training platform for pilots in the RAF, as well as other international forces such as those of Mexico, Morocco, and New Zealand.
“A RAF Texan T Mk 1 aircraft from RAF Valley suffered a birdstrike this morning on a regular training flight.”
This incident highlights the risks that even routine military training flights can encounter, reinforcing the importance of stringent safety protocols and skilled air traffic management.