Mk10 ejection seat aircraft grounded

09 November 2011

Royal Air Force aircraft fitted with the Mk10 ejection seat found on Hawk T1s have been temporarily grounded following the death of a Red Arrows pilot on 8 November.

All non-essential flights of Hawk T1, Tornado and Tucano aircraft are to be stopped as the cause of the fatal accident, which saw a pilot ejected whilst on the ground at RAF Scampton, is investigated by the Military Aviation Authority (MAA).

The Red Arrows pilot, believed to be Flt Lt Sean Cunningham, was airlifted to Lincoln County Hospital after the accident but died of his injuries.

"All non-essential RAF flying on aircraft fitted with a similar ejector seat to the Hawk T1 has been temporarily suspended," an MoD spokesman said.

"The safety of our crews remains our paramount concern."