Tornado crash inquiry under way

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A salvage operation has started to recover the wreckage of a Tornado jet as part of an inquiry into what caused it to crash in The Wash.

Two airmen ejected safely after the Tornado from RAF Marham in Norfolk crashed on Tuesday close to Holbeach practice bombing range in Lincolnshire.

RAF Marham's Air Commodore Greg Bagwell said a full inquiry is under way.

"We will go through the full process to establish the reasons and causes of the crash and we will act upon that."

He added: "I've spoken to the crew and they're fine."

The crew were picked up from the sea by helicopters from the Wattisham Airfield in Suffolk and RAF Leconfield, near Beverley, East Yorkshire.

Holbeach Range is north of Holbeach and is used as a bombing range by Tornados, Harriers and Jaguar aircraft.

'Supersonic speeds'

Practice bombs are dropped on a variety of targets on the range, which is based on the south side of The Wash.

The Tornado GR4, which costs about Â£30m, is considered as the RAF's primary attack aircraft, flying at low level and supersonic speeds.

The two engine aircraft can reach top speeds of 1,452mph at 36,000ft (10,972m) and 710mph at sea level.

RAF Marham operates four squadrons of Tornado GR4 and each aircraft carries a pilot and a navigator.

A Tornado GR4 from the base crashed into the Humber estuary on 17 May 2002. Both crew members ejected to safety.