From The Scotsman
Probe after RAF Jet Crash-Lands
By Louise Gray, Scottish Press Association
The RAF launched an investigation today after a Tornado was forced to land without any wheels.
The crew of the F3 air interceptor managed to walk away unhurt last night despite landing the jet on its belly during a training exercise.
Now engineering staff at RAF Leuchars, where the jet touched down at just under 200mph, are looking at the aircraft to see what went wrong.
An expert group from South Wales was also due to carry out an investigation into the incident.
The pilot and co-pilot issued a Mayday around 5pm after discovering they were unable to lower the jet’s undercarriage.
The crew dumped fuel in the North Sea to lighten the load of the jet and reduce the speed at which it had to travel in order to land.
At the same time ground staff at RAF Leuchars in Fife launched the base’s station emergency plan.
Rescue Sea King helicopters from RAF Boulmer in Northumberland and the Royal Navy rescue flight at Gannet, Prestwick, were scrambled.
On the ground fire, rescue and medical teams were put on stand-by.
The Tornado landed on its underside on the main runway at at 5.30pm, travelling at just under 200mph.
The two-man crew stepped out apparently unhurt and were taken for a routine medical examination.
An RAF spokesman praised the crew’s response.
He said: “They did a very professional job to get themselves and the aircraft down safely.
“All air crew train for exactly this emergency although it is a very unusual event.”
The airfield was closed but will reopen when the aircraft has been removed and the area swept for debris, the spokesman said.
The aircraft was from 56 Squadron, the operational conversion unit (OCU), at Leuchars where pilots undergo final advanced training before joining a squadron.
Sounds a bit better than forgetting!
Bl00dy glad they got it back - as long as the SEngO can strip it for spares it will be worth it!
Well done that man.