Red Arrows Collide During Greek Training
3:43pm UK, Tuesday March 23, 2010
Katie Cassidy, Sky News Online
Two of the Red Arrows have collided over Crete, forcing one pilot to eject before his aircraft crashed onto the Greek island.
One of the Red Arrows with broken fin
The tail of one Red Arrow was snapped off in the accident
It is understood the second plane landed safely along with the rest of the RAF squadron at Iraklion Airport.
The pilot who parachuted from his aircraft suffered a dislocated shoulder and was taken to hospital.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed an incident had occurred during the aerobatic team's pre-season training at the Kastelli airforce base.
"A service inquiry will be convened to identify the cause of the crash," a spokesman added.
Photos taken after the accident showed one Red Arrow's tail tip snapped off and damage to the back right of the plane.
The Red Arrows team arrived on Crete at the weekend for the first stage of Exercise Springhawk, the RAF said.
With their trademark red, white and blue vapour trails, the Red Arrows are a familiar sight at British air displays.
