RAF to investigate air crash in Akrotiri

RAF Akrotiri has announced that an investigation will be carried out into the circumstances that led to yesterday’s air crash of a Harrier aircraft, to determine the cause of the crash.

A press release, issued today by RAF Akrotiri, said that during a training flight yesterday, Monday 9th February, a Harrier aircraft from 20 Squadron crashed into the runway at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus.

Both aircrew ejected from the aircraft and have been discharged from hospital, following treatment. There were no other military or civilian personnel involved in the accident, it added.

An air crash investigation team will be assembled and a full investigation conducted to determine the facts and further details will be released on completion of this investigation, it said.

“The investigation will seek to determine the circumstances and cause of the crash and it is inappropriate at this time to speculate any further,” it clarified.

The RAF Harriers are based in RAF Wittering in the UK and are currently on a training detachment at RAF Akrotiri, it is added in the announcement.

Britain, a former colonial power, has retained two military bases in Cyprus, after the island gained its independence in 1960. Akrotiri is believed to be one of the largest overseas RAF bases worldwide.