Plane crash close to M4 question...

[Saleen836]

As title, wondering why the coastguard would have been scrambled for this incident?

https://www.wiltshire999s.co.uk/plane-crashes-m4-c...

[trashbat]

Probably the same reason they attend Peak District mountain rescues:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwylyx9zm4eo

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdryjkdr2nro

(I know that guy)

Because they've got an available rescue helicopter.

[Saleen836]

trashbat said:

Probably the same reason they attend Peak District mountain rescues:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwylyx9zm4eo

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdryjkdr2nro

(I know that guy)

Because they've got an available rescue helicopter.

Thanks, that makes sence, with unkown number of people onboard one rescue helicopter might not be enough

[this is my username]

The Coastguard helicopters also have capabilities such as winching which the Police / Air Ambulance do not.

[Puggit]

Welford is also the site of a very interesting military site: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Welford

[eharding]

Puggit said:

Welford is also the site of a very interesting military site: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Welford

I doubt the accident aircraft was trying to get in at Welford though. Even though there is still a ropey looking 450m strip of concrete which in other cases you might consider for a precautionary or forced landing, given what's stored there, I'd go to a *lot* of effort to go and crash somewhere else.

[GliderRider]

Looks like the pilot hedged his bets.

[ecsrobin]

Saleen836 said:

As title, wondering why the coastguard would have been scrambled for this incident?

https://www.wiltshire999s.co.uk/plane-crashes-m4-c...

Sorry just seen this.

Coastguard rescue helicopters and fixed wing cover the whole of the UK and west of Ireland land or sea. The majority of the work is shore based / coastal rather than offshore.

At NATS Swanick (National Air Traffic Service) there is an RAF unit D&D (Distress & Diversion) they listen for aircraft distress calls. In the event of an aircraft in distress they will contact the ARCC (Aircraft Rescue Co-Ordination Centre) a HM Coastguard function.

An aircraft is nearly always scrambled as aircraft crashes can be in hard to reach places, often quite serious and with an unknown number of casualties potentially. It’s a lot easier to stand down an aircraft that’s on its way than try and get that time back.

As a separate note the ARCC whilst wearing coastguard uniforms and paid by them triage all calls from Ambulance, Coastguard, D&D, Fire, Police to ensure it is a suitable use of the asset so just because it’s red and white doesn’t mean they get a preference.

[ecsrobin]

Saleen836 said:

Thanks, that makes sence, with unkown number of people onboard one rescue helicopter might not be enough

Generally you would know the aircraft type so can make a good assumption on what to send. 737 send the fleet. The RAF used to always scramble 2 aircraft for a crash but with HEMS its no longer needed.

Statistics for the year are here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/search-an...

Just under half of taskings were classified as rescue or recovery (1,372), followed by search (622), support (554) and pre-arranged transfers (301).

1,342 people were rescued and 264 assisted by SAR helicopters across all taskings during the year ending March 2025.

Land and coastal based taskings accounted for 49% and 37% of all taskings respectively, while 14% of taskings were maritime.

Edited by ecsrobin on Tuesday 15th July 17:11