Tributes paid to RAF engineer who died in Red Arrows crash in Wales

Tributes have been paid to the “dedicated, skilled and experienced” Royal Air Force engineer who was killed when the Red Arrows aircraft in which he was flying crashed in north Wales.

Cpl Jonathan Bayliss, 41, died when the Hawk T1 aircraft crashed in a “ball of flames” shortly after takeoff at RAF Valley at about 1.30pm on Tuesday.

The pilot of the aircraft, Flt Lt David Stark, is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries after managing to eject from the plane before impact.

Investigations have been launched into what the RAF described as a “tragic accident” – the first fatal incident involving the Red Arrows since 2011.

Fellow servicemen paid tribute to Bayliss, who they said was fulfilling a “schoolboy dream” flying in a Red Arrows jet.

Sgt Will Allen, the leader of the Red Arrows’ group of travelling support engineers, known as the Circus, described Bayliss as a “genuine grafter” who motivated and inspired those around him.

He said: “Jon had a big a presence on the squadron, and with his wide, beaming smile and dry humour could lighten up any dull moment or lift spirits when needed. Both inside and outside of work, he was a generous, kind and caring man who could also always be relied upon.”

Bayliss, from Dartford in Kent, joined the RAF in 2001 and worked on squadrons at RAF Coltishall in Norfolk and RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.

He joined the Red Arrows team as a mechanical engineer in January 2016, supporting tours to the Far East, the Middle East and mainland Europe.

In 2017 he was a leader of the Red Arrows’ dye team, helping to replenish the jets’ famous smoke systems wherever they landed. This year he was selected to be one of the Circus team, the small group of highly trained engineers who travel with the aircraft and provide technical support away from their home base.

Sqn Ldr Richard Bland, senior engineering officer of the Red Arrows, said: “Everyone on the team has a great story about Jon and, without exception, he was known as a top bloke with an infectious smile, cheeky grin and possessing a dry sense of humour that had the ability to fill a room with laughter.

“At the same time, Jon was the ultimate professional and embodiment of excellence.”

Bland said his colleagues had been touched by the messages of support from the wider air force and people who knew Bayliss. “As a skilled leader, ambassador for the Royal Air Force and knowledgeable technician, Jon had all the attributes and qualities that define the Red Arrows,” he said.

Air Vice-Marshal Warren James, air officer commanding 22 Group, said the incident was a reminder of the risk of flying and of the “hard work and commitment shared by both air and ground crews alike”.

He said: “All of our thoughts are now with Cpl Bayliss’s family, friends and his colleagues as they try to come to terms with his loss and investigations take place into establishing what happened.”

The defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, added his own tribute. He said: “It’s clear from his colleagues that he was an incredibly skilled engineer and held in the highest regard as a teammate, a friend and a shining example of what the British armed forces stand for. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones at this terrible time.”

Flights of the Hawk T1 aircraft have been suspended as a precautionary measure while investigations continue into the cause of the crash.

The crash at RAF Valley was the third fatal incident involving a Hawk T1 in nearly seven years.