Accident to Tornado GR4 ZG792 on 27 Jan 11

On 27 January 2011, a Tornado GR4 (serial number ZG792) from XV (Reserve) Squadron, based at RAF Lossiemouth, was conducting a routine Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) training mission. The crew consisted of an experienced staff pilot (acting as aircraft captain) and a student Weapon Systems Officer (WSO). The sortie involved a "Simulated Attack Profile" (SAP) in the vicinity of the Tain Air Weapons Range and the west coast of Scotland.

While transitioning to low-level flight near Gairloch, the crew heard a rapid, rhythmic "machine-gun" sound emanating from the right side of the aircraft. The pilot correctly diagnosed an engine surge and immediately brought both throttles to idle. However, the right engine's performance continued to deteriorate rapidly, accompanied by "REHEAT" and "OIL P" (Oil Pressure) warning captions. As the pilot attempted to manage the emergency, it became clear that the right engine had suffered a significant mechanical failure, which likely caused an internal fire.

The situation worsened when the left engine also began to lose thrust, and the aircraft's control response became sluggish. With the jet losing altitude over the sea and the risk of a total power loss imminent, the pilot initiated a command ejection at 14:43 hrs. Both crew members were successfully recovered from the water by a Coastguard helicopter and treated for minor injuries.

The Service Inquiry (SI) focused on the "Airworthiness" and "Technical" factors of the aging Tornado fleet. Although the panel was unable to definitively identify the initial component failure due to the limited recovery of the wreckage (only 70% was salvaged from the seabed), they concluded that the mechanical failure was likely centred in the High Pressure (HP) compressor or turbine area. The report highlighted that the aircraft had been well-maintained but suggested that more frequent boroscope inspections of older engines might mitigate similar risks in the future.