On 4 April 1977, Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S.2B XW525 crashed into Claerwen Reservoir, near Rhayader in Powys, Wales. The aircraft was being operated by No. 208 Squadron RAF during a practice low-level bombing run over Claerwen Dam.
The Incident
During the exercise, the Buccaneer encountered two Hawker Hunter aircraft. To avoid a possible mid-air collision, the pilot carried out a sudden and violent evasive manoeuvre.
The extreme forces placed on the aircraft caused a catastrophic structural failure, resulting in the loss of the tail section. With the Buccaneer no longer controllable, both crew members ejected safely and survived. The aircraft then crashed into the reservoir and was later written off as destroyed.
The Crew
The crew of XW525 were Flt Lt Ricky Summers and Flt Lt Mark Morrison. Both men survived the crash after successfully ejecting from the aircraft.
Aircraft History
XW525 was built in 1970 and had previously served with No. 12 Squadron RAF before later being transferred to No. 208 Squadron. The aircraft was lost only a short time after joining No. 208 Squadron.
Recovery and Investigation
Following the crash, RAF and military diving teams carried out a targeted salvage operation. This was mainly to recover important flight instruments, classified equipment, and key components needed for the accident investigation.
The main wreckage was not fully recovered for preservation or rebuild. Substantial fragments, heavy structural sections, and deeply embedded debris are believed to have remained on the bed of Claerwen Reservoir.
