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Tornado navigator's body is found | Tornado navigator's body is found |
(10 minutes later) | |
A navigator who ejected from an RAF Tornado fighter aircraft over Norfolk has been found dead in a field, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirms. | A navigator who ejected from an RAF Tornado fighter aircraft over Norfolk has been found dead in a field, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirms. |
The aircraft landed later at its RAF Marham base and the ejector seat was found near the Sandringham estate. | The aircraft landed later at its RAF Marham base and the ejector seat was found near the Sandringham estate. |
The navigator's body was found at South Creake and was pronounced dead at the scene. He is said to have ejected while the aircraft was flying upside down. | The navigator's body was found at South Creake and was pronounced dead at the scene. He is said to have ejected while the aircraft was flying upside down. |
The MoD said the aircraft was flown by a civilian crew from BAE Systems. | The MoD said the aircraft was flown by a civilian crew from BAE Systems. |
A tape of the pilot's conversation with controllers has been heard by the BBC. | A tape of the pilot's conversation with controllers has been heard by the BBC. |
'Deep sadness' | 'Deep sadness' |
It describes the moment the pilot realised his navigator had ejected from the aircraft. He told controllers he had not seen a parachute. | It describes the moment the pilot realised his navigator had ejected from the aircraft. He told controllers he had not seen a parachute. |
Rem Merrick, a spokesman from RAF Marham, said: "It is with deep sadness that the MoD has learned that the BAE Systems navigator who was involved in Wednesday's incident has died. Our thoughts are with his family. | |
"The cause of the incident is under investigation and we will not speculate at this stage. | "The cause of the incident is under investigation and we will not speculate at this stage. |
"The Tornado GR4 landed safely at RAF Marham, where it is based. No other aircraft were involved." | "The Tornado GR4 landed safely at RAF Marham, where it is based. No other aircraft were involved." |
BAE Systems are responsible for maintaining the Tornado fleet based at RAF Marham. | BAE Systems are responsible for maintaining the Tornado fleet based at RAF Marham. |