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Missing jet pilot

A HUGE Bristol Channel rescue operation involving hundreds of coastguards,lifeboatmen and aircrew was underway today after a pilot ejected leaving his RAF jet to fly on for an hour before Crashing into the sea. Two RAF Ntmrod maritime patrol aircraft, four rescue helicopter`s, three lifeboats Including the Mumbles boat and dozens of land-based Coastguard teams were involved In the search, which is continuing. The RAF Harrier jump jet had taken off from a Dunsfold airstrip, near Guillord, and the last voice contact with the British Aerospace civilian test pilot was when the aircraft was 15 miles north of Southampton. The Harrier crashed 240 mile`s out at sea and, given Its terminal speed of 400 knots, could have been flying pilotless for up to an hour. The drama began at 6 p.m. when a U.S. Military transport plane's crew spotted the GR5 Harrier south of Ireland noticed the canopy had gone the pilot was missing. The pilot, who had not named, had been undertaking. predelivery test fight in the British Aerospace-bull Harrier. A B.A. spokesman said they were extremely concerned for his safety.