Buccaneer XW540 - 12 Sq - Off Copinsay. 22/04/1987
April 22nd 1987. Two Buccaneer S2B aircraft take off from Lossiemouth for a night training sortie over the North Sea. The No 2 aircraft for this sortie was XW540 being flown by F/Lt John Julian Cooke with F/O Adrian Francis Fahy as Navigator.
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Above: Photos of Buccaneer XW540
After a successful attack on the Tain bombing range the pair flew further north to conduct a simulated anti ship attack. The night was very dark with overcast skies but visibility was good. The flight leader designated a target (Copinsay Lighthouse) and the pair began to descend and accelerate and at 1000 feet the leader called for a height check and another when both aircraft were at 600 feet and flying at 480 knots. The leader then ordered the No 2 to split to widen the formation before the attack. The No 2 aircraft banked away then turned back towards the target. F/O Fahy radioed No 1 for a heading check which was given but not acknowledged and a few seconds later the No1 saw a fireball on the sea.
Realizing that his No2 had crashed the flight leader circled the area, some 10 miles SE of Copinsay, and issued a Mayday. The emergency services mounted a rescue operation but unfortunately neither of the crew had time to see the danger and eject and both were killed instantly.The body of F/Lt Cooke was found next morning but F/O Fahy's body was never recovered.
Realizing that his No2 had crashed the flight leader circled the area, some 10 miles SE of Copinsay, and issued a Mayday. The emergency services mounted a rescue operation but unfortunately neither of the crew had time to see the danger and eject and both were killed instantly.The body of F/Lt Cooke was found next morning but F/O Fahy's body was never recovered.
A more sombre sight is that of F/Lt Cooke`s headstone at Lossiemouth, photo of headstone courtesy of Roxy from the Scottish War Graves Project website at : http://scottishwargraves.phpbbweb.com/scottishwargraves-forum-14.html
Aberdeen Press and Journal - Thursday 23 April 1987
RAF CREW FEARED DEAD
TWO airmen were feared dead early today after a Buccaneer jet from RAF Lossiemouth exploded in flames off Orkney. giant fireball was seen over a wide area as the aircraft blew up, apparently so suddenly that the pilot and navigator had no chance to eject. One witness said: “The whole sky lit up for a few seconds, and then it just disappeared.” The accident happened about 10.15 p.m. some 13 miles south of South Ronaldsay. Early today a massive search of the area was underway, involving a Nimrod from RAF Kinloss, and a Sea King helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth, the Coastguard helicopter from Sumburgh, the fishery protection vessel HMS Soberton and the coastal tanker BP Springer. Sqn. Ldr Norman MacLeod, Press relations officer at Lossie, told the "Press and Journal” this morning: "It certainly does not look too hopeful and we have presumed that they are dead, especially after IVj hours in the water. "It was all too sudden for them to have made much attempt to get out of the aircraft. The personal locator beacons that the aircrew carry, were heard Initially but since then nothing has been heard from the aircraft.” He added "We have requested a vessel with sonar equipment to help try to locate the aircraft. The jet and another Buccaneer had been on a routine nlghtrflying sortie out over the North Sea and were returning to Lossie when the accident happened. “The crew of the other aircraft reported seeing a fireball and seeing the aircraft hit the sea and then nothing more," said Sqn. Ldr. MacLeod. An RAF Shackleton operating in the area at the time took over control of the search, before being replaced by a Nimrod from Kinloss early today, when its operational time began running out. Pentland Coastguard said the explosion was seen and heard over a wide area they received reports from South Ronaldsay and Burray, and from as far away as Sanday, in North Orkney. Hydro Board engineer Ross Flett (43). Dyke End, South Ronaldsay. was driving home when the accident happened. "There was a terrific explosion and the whole sky lit up," he said. "The car shook and there was a great, orange fireball on the horizon. It just lasted a few seconds and then it disappeared." He reported the incident the Coastguard and was later told by his neighbours their house had been shaken by the blast. Mr. Flett added: "We have had a lot of low flying aircraft over here recently. Over the past year they have been using Orkney as a training area and there has been concern about this kind of thing happening near the oil terminal at Flotta. In June, 1985, the pilot of a Buccaneer was killed when his aircraft crashed while coming In to land at RAF Lossiemouth. His navigator ejected to safety seconds before the jet ploughed into the runway and burst into flames. And in May, 1984, another Buccaneer from the Moray air base crashed Into the sea off Fraserburgh, killing both crewmen. The Buccaneer is a high-speed, low-level strike aircraft with two jet engines. The only weaponry it would have been carrying, if any, would have been 3kg practice bombs, known as "flash and bangs".
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RAF CREW FEARED DEAD
TWO airmen were feared dead early today after a Buccaneer jet from RAF Lossiemouth exploded in flames off Orkney. giant fireball was seen over a wide area as the aircraft blew up, apparently so suddenly that the pilot and navigator had no chance to eject. One witness said: “The whole sky lit up for a few seconds, and then it just disappeared.” The accident happened about 10.15 p.m. some 13 miles south of South Ronaldsay. Early today a massive search of the area was underway, involving a Nimrod from RAF Kinloss, and a Sea King helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth, the Coastguard helicopter from Sumburgh, the fishery protection vessel HMS Soberton and the coastal tanker BP Springer. Sqn. Ldr Norman MacLeod, Press relations officer at Lossie, told the "Press and Journal” this morning: "It certainly does not look too hopeful and we have presumed that they are dead, especially after IVj hours in the water. "It was all too sudden for them to have made much attempt to get out of the aircraft. The personal locator beacons that the aircrew carry, were heard Initially but since then nothing has been heard from the aircraft.” He added "We have requested a vessel with sonar equipment to help try to locate the aircraft. The jet and another Buccaneer had been on a routine nlghtrflying sortie out over the North Sea and were returning to Lossie when the accident happened. “The crew of the other aircraft reported seeing a fireball and seeing the aircraft hit the sea and then nothing more," said Sqn. Ldr. MacLeod. An RAF Shackleton operating in the area at the time took over control of the search, before being replaced by a Nimrod from Kinloss early today, when its operational time began running out. Pentland Coastguard said the explosion was seen and heard over a wide area they received reports from South Ronaldsay and Burray, and from as far away as Sanday, in North Orkney. Hydro Board engineer Ross Flett (43). Dyke End, South Ronaldsay. was driving home when the accident happened. "There was a terrific explosion and the whole sky lit up," he said. "The car shook and there was a great, orange fireball on the horizon. It just lasted a few seconds and then it disappeared." He reported the incident the Coastguard and was later told by his neighbours their house had been shaken by the blast. Mr. Flett added: "We have had a lot of low flying aircraft over here recently. Over the past year they have been using Orkney as a training area and there has been concern about this kind of thing happening near the oil terminal at Flotta. In June, 1985, the pilot of a Buccaneer was killed when his aircraft crashed while coming In to land at RAF Lossiemouth. His navigator ejected to safety seconds before the jet ploughed into the runway and burst into flames. And in May, 1984, another Buccaneer from the Moray air base crashed Into the sea off Fraserburgh, killing both crewmen. The Buccaneer is a high-speed, low-level strike aircraft with two jet engines. The only weaponry it would have been carrying, if any, would have been 3kg practice bombs, known as "flash and bangs".
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Aberdeen Evening Express - Thursday 23 April 1987
Blast jet pilot’s body recovered
By ALASTAIR BISSET
THE body of the pilot oi the Buccaneer jet which exploded oft Orkney has been recovered. The two-man crew from RAF Lossiemouth were killed when their aircraft burst into flames in a night training exercise off South Ronaldsay shortly after 10 p.m. The body of Fit Lieut. John Cooke (28), has since been recovered and search is still being carried out for the navigator, 26- year-old Flying Officer Adrian Fahy. Fit. Lieut. Cooke, who was married with a young son, came from Maidstone. Kent. Flying Officer Fahy, who was single, came from Southampton. Their No. 12 Squadron Buccaneer was taking part in a low level night exercise and was armed with two 28 lb. practice bombs. An RAF Lossiemouth spokesman said today that the practice bombs would not have been the cause of the explosion. The spokesman added: “Two Buccaneer aircraft were operating together on a routine night training exercise in the area to the North-east of Wick. “One of the aircraft saw the other aircraft burst into flames and hit the sea. “The aircraft would have been flying at a height of around 250 feet at the time. “It all happened very quickly. The personal locator beacons carried by the two men only worked very briefly before stopping. It must have been pretty catastrophic.” all-night search of the area was carried out A full-scale RAP Board of Inquiry has already started.
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Aberdeen Evening Express - Friday 24 April 1987
Jet crash search goes on
THE SEARCH continued today for the body of the navigator killed along with the pilot, when an RAF Buccaneer jet crashed into the North Sea. The wreckage of the aircraft, from Lossiemouth, has been pinpointed in 200 feet of water about 25 miles off South Ronaldsay. The body of the aircraft’s pilot, Ft. Lt. John Cooke (28), was recovered yesterday. He came from Maidstone, Kent. and was married with a young son. The navigator, flight officer Adrian Fahy (26), who was unmarried, came from Southampton.
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The Orcadian 30th April 1987
RAF act over jet crash confusion
The RAF have acted to clear up confusion over an accident last Wednesday night involving a Buccaneer jet which plunged into the sea off South Ronaldsay.
The pilot of the jet was killed and the body of the navigator has yet to be traced.
The accident happened shortly after 10pm during a simulated attack on Copinsay lighthouse. It caused a huge explosion which was heard throughout Orkney.
Original reports had spoken of a mid air explosion but this has since been ruled out by the RAF who say the explosion occurred as the jet hit the sea. This was based, they say, on reports from other RAF aircraft in the area who were the nearest eye witnesses.
Squadron leader Norman Macleod press spokesman at RAF Lossiemouth were the jet was based, said ''There was an initial report of a fireball and that was caused as the aircraft hit the sea. From reports we have had, we understand there was quite a sizable explosion which could be heard throughout Orkney.''
One of those who heard and saw the explosion was Mr Ross Flett of Dykend South Ronaldsay. ''It certainly looked to me as if there was an explosion in the air but I am sure the experts could tell me it could look as if it was above the horizon when actually it wasn't. However I am a bit annoyed to hear the RAF say there was no mid-air explosion when they have not completed or carried out their enquiry yet.''
Asked why they had ruled out a mid-air explosion as the explanation for what was heard and seen in Orkney the RAF said later: '' We had other aircraft in the area who saw the accident at a closer distance and the combination of their evidence leads us to that conclusion. However we are very pleased to receive any call which is vitally important.''
He added: '' It would still help us if there happened to have been a fisherman in close proximity - particularly someone who was a little bit south of the crash site.''
The tragedy is certain to spark off renewed debate about low flying - particularly at night.
Speaking for RAF Lossiemouth planes however, Squadron Leader Macleod said '' We do not do night time exercises over land. If we had to fly over land at night, we would not below 2,000 feet above the land in question.''
Asked about dangers of night-time flying to instillations such as the Flotta oil terminal, he said '' No one could ever be 100 per cent certain but I would say that given our rules and the nature of our operations the likelihood of there being a danger from our aircraft is infinitesimally small .''
He said that the plane was carrying only light ????? ????(unreadable) weapons which send up a flare when they land on their target. He said the minimum height it would have been flying would have been 400 feet and that it was required to turn away from its target of Copinsay Lighthouse at least four miles from it.
Blast jet pilot’s body recovered
By ALASTAIR BISSET
THE body of the pilot oi the Buccaneer jet which exploded oft Orkney has been recovered. The two-man crew from RAF Lossiemouth were killed when their aircraft burst into flames in a night training exercise off South Ronaldsay shortly after 10 p.m. The body of Fit Lieut. John Cooke (28), has since been recovered and search is still being carried out for the navigator, 26- year-old Flying Officer Adrian Fahy. Fit. Lieut. Cooke, who was married with a young son, came from Maidstone. Kent. Flying Officer Fahy, who was single, came from Southampton. Their No. 12 Squadron Buccaneer was taking part in a low level night exercise and was armed with two 28 lb. practice bombs. An RAF Lossiemouth spokesman said today that the practice bombs would not have been the cause of the explosion. The spokesman added: “Two Buccaneer aircraft were operating together on a routine night training exercise in the area to the North-east of Wick. “One of the aircraft saw the other aircraft burst into flames and hit the sea. “The aircraft would have been flying at a height of around 250 feet at the time. “It all happened very quickly. The personal locator beacons carried by the two men only worked very briefly before stopping. It must have been pretty catastrophic.” all-night search of the area was carried out A full-scale RAP Board of Inquiry has already started.
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Aberdeen Evening Express - Friday 24 April 1987
Jet crash search goes on
THE SEARCH continued today for the body of the navigator killed along with the pilot, when an RAF Buccaneer jet crashed into the North Sea. The wreckage of the aircraft, from Lossiemouth, has been pinpointed in 200 feet of water about 25 miles off South Ronaldsay. The body of the aircraft’s pilot, Ft. Lt. John Cooke (28), was recovered yesterday. He came from Maidstone, Kent. and was married with a young son. The navigator, flight officer Adrian Fahy (26), who was unmarried, came from Southampton.
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The Orcadian 30th April 1987
RAF act over jet crash confusion
The RAF have acted to clear up confusion over an accident last Wednesday night involving a Buccaneer jet which plunged into the sea off South Ronaldsay.
The pilot of the jet was killed and the body of the navigator has yet to be traced.
The accident happened shortly after 10pm during a simulated attack on Copinsay lighthouse. It caused a huge explosion which was heard throughout Orkney.
Original reports had spoken of a mid air explosion but this has since been ruled out by the RAF who say the explosion occurred as the jet hit the sea. This was based, they say, on reports from other RAF aircraft in the area who were the nearest eye witnesses.
Squadron leader Norman Macleod press spokesman at RAF Lossiemouth were the jet was based, said ''There was an initial report of a fireball and that was caused as the aircraft hit the sea. From reports we have had, we understand there was quite a sizable explosion which could be heard throughout Orkney.''
One of those who heard and saw the explosion was Mr Ross Flett of Dykend South Ronaldsay. ''It certainly looked to me as if there was an explosion in the air but I am sure the experts could tell me it could look as if it was above the horizon when actually it wasn't. However I am a bit annoyed to hear the RAF say there was no mid-air explosion when they have not completed or carried out their enquiry yet.''
Asked why they had ruled out a mid-air explosion as the explanation for what was heard and seen in Orkney the RAF said later: '' We had other aircraft in the area who saw the accident at a closer distance and the combination of their evidence leads us to that conclusion. However we are very pleased to receive any call which is vitally important.''
He added: '' It would still help us if there happened to have been a fisherman in close proximity - particularly someone who was a little bit south of the crash site.''
The tragedy is certain to spark off renewed debate about low flying - particularly at night.
Speaking for RAF Lossiemouth planes however, Squadron Leader Macleod said '' We do not do night time exercises over land. If we had to fly over land at night, we would not below 2,000 feet above the land in question.''
Asked about dangers of night-time flying to instillations such as the Flotta oil terminal, he said '' No one could ever be 100 per cent certain but I would say that given our rules and the nature of our operations the likelihood of there being a danger from our aircraft is infinitesimally small .''
He said that the plane was carrying only light ????? ????(unreadable) weapons which send up a flare when they land on their target. He said the minimum height it would have been flying would have been 400 feet and that it was required to turn away from its target of Copinsay Lighthouse at least four miles from it.
Flt. Lt. Jules Cooke
Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette - Friday 24 April 1987
Crash pilot body found A body recovered from the North Sea has been identified as the pilot of a crashed RAF Buccaneer jet, Flt. Lt. Jules Cooke. married with a young son, from Maidstone, Kent. A search has resumed for his navigator, Flying Officer Adrian Fahy. a single man from Southampton. Their plane burst into a ball of flame and crashed while practicing low level attack runs off north-west Scotland on Wednesday night.
Maidstone Telegraph - Friday 01 May 1987
Crash Pilots funeral is held at EAF base.
by LIZ OLIVER
THE FUNERAL of an RAF pilot who was killed when his jet fighter crashed in the sea was held yesterday. Julian Cooke; 28, whose parents Margaret and Alan live in Harple Lane, Detling, died when his Buccaneer crashed off the Scottish coast last Wednesday during a night training exercise. His funeral was held at RAF Lossiemouth where he was based. ~ Flt Lt Cooke lived in the village of Lossiemouth with his wife Jacqueline and son Robert, two.
He spent his boyhood in Detling where he was a server and member of the church choir. ~ He was a keen rider as a boy and was a founder member of the Detling Horse and Pony Society. He was educated at Kings School, Rochester, where he was vice-head of the school and a house prefect.
His career in the RAF started when he won a flying scholarship at the age of 17 through the school's Combined Cadet Force. He was later awarded an RAF scholarship to Durham University where he studied for his BSc degree. Mr Cooke’s mother Margaret said: ‘'He thoroughly enjoyed life. He loved flying and also enjoyed skiing, athletics and music.” A memorial service will be held in Detling Church at a later date. The RAF is holding an inquiry into the accident.
Crash pilot body found A body recovered from the North Sea has been identified as the pilot of a crashed RAF Buccaneer jet, Flt. Lt. Jules Cooke. married with a young son, from Maidstone, Kent. A search has resumed for his navigator, Flying Officer Adrian Fahy. a single man from Southampton. Their plane burst into a ball of flame and crashed while practicing low level attack runs off north-west Scotland on Wednesday night.
Maidstone Telegraph - Friday 01 May 1987
Crash Pilots funeral is held at EAF base.
by LIZ OLIVER
THE FUNERAL of an RAF pilot who was killed when his jet fighter crashed in the sea was held yesterday. Julian Cooke; 28, whose parents Margaret and Alan live in Harple Lane, Detling, died when his Buccaneer crashed off the Scottish coast last Wednesday during a night training exercise. His funeral was held at RAF Lossiemouth where he was based. ~ Flt Lt Cooke lived in the village of Lossiemouth with his wife Jacqueline and son Robert, two.
He spent his boyhood in Detling where he was a server and member of the church choir. ~ He was a keen rider as a boy and was a founder member of the Detling Horse and Pony Society. He was educated at Kings School, Rochester, where he was vice-head of the school and a house prefect.
His career in the RAF started when he won a flying scholarship at the age of 17 through the school's Combined Cadet Force. He was later awarded an RAF scholarship to Durham University where he studied for his BSc degree. Mr Cooke’s mother Margaret said: ‘'He thoroughly enjoyed life. He loved flying and also enjoyed skiing, athletics and music.” A memorial service will be held in Detling Church at a later date. The RAF is holding an inquiry into the accident.
F/O Adrian Francis Fahy
Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette - Friday 24 April 1987
Crash pilot body found A body recovered from the North Sea has been identified as the pilot of a crashed RAF Buccaneer jet, Flt. Lt. Jules Cooke. married with a young son, from Maidstone, Kent. A search has resumed for his navigator, Flying Officer Adrian Fahy. a sinrgle man from Southampton. Their plane burst into a ball of flame and crashed while practising lowlevel attack runs off north-west Scotland on Wednesday night.
Crash pilot body found A body recovered from the North Sea has been identified as the pilot of a crashed RAF Buccaneer jet, Flt. Lt. Jules Cooke. married with a young son, from Maidstone, Kent. A search has resumed for his navigator, Flying Officer Adrian Fahy. a sinrgle man from Southampton. Their plane burst into a ball of flame and crashed while practising lowlevel attack runs off north-west Scotland on Wednesday night.
Test Valley, Braishfield, Hampshire Photo: Mark Newton IWM
Blackburn-Buccaneer_XW540
Good link here for the aircraft history:
Accident Blackburn Buccaneer S Mk 2B XW540, Wednesday 22 April 1987
Accident Blackburn Buccaneer S Mk 2B XW540, Wednesday 22 April 1987
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All rights reserved. Due to the immense amount of research that enabled us to build this site we would like to point out that all material on this website is owned by A.R.G.O.S though photos are credited to their respective owners. Anyone wishing to use material for their own website or any other purpose are requested to contact us first expressing their wishes. Permission will usually be granted to none profit making ventures, i.e. websites for educational and/or historical purposes, though a link to this website and acknowledgement to the original owners of any photographs will usually be requested.