A MAJOR air-and-sea search mission has been stood down off the Pembrokeshire coast following reports that an aircraft may have crashed into the sea.
Milford Haven coastguards said residents in Trefin reported hearing a loud blast after a low flying light aircraft flew overhead at around 7.15pm on Wednesday evening.
A spokesman from Milford Haven coastguards added: “It was a false alarm with good intent, nothing untoward was found”.
A rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor as well as two RNLI lifeboats were involved in the search. Coastguard rescue teams as well as police, the fire service and ambulances were also called to the area between Fishguard and St Davids.
However, the search was called off at 9.20pm. The RNLI said its lifeboats have returned to their bases.
Dyfed Powys Police have said they were made aware of reports of a possible plane crash off the coast of Pembrokeshire and are investigating the claims.
The search was launched after coastguards said they received numerous calls from villagers reporting aircraft noise followed by a loud bang or blast.
A spokesman for the MoD later confirmed that the reports did not relate to any military aircraft and added that it was ‘highly unlikely’ that a jet would break the sound barrier as this is prohibited by regulation.
Further investigations revealed that all aircraft had returned to base and searches were stood down as a result.
Add Comment