I've been near to a few crashes, all of which I was oblivious to at the time. The first was a three-ship Jag take off at Coltishall, Sqn Cdr, another high ranker, and a relative new guy. The first two took off fine and the third didn't select reheat and clipped the barrier at the northern end of the runway, tried to eject but seat had moved on impact so he didn't make it. That was my first sobering experience of a station losing a pilot. I was in the Alt Operations Centre (the primary being refurbished) when the station crash alarm sounded, at about the time they tested daily - but there was no tannoy prior, and it didn't stop.
The second was at Pristina airfield, the Russian Minister or Defence was flying in to see his troops and his wingtip struck the runway, but was fortunately safe. His flight out was delayed though.
The third, and the closest I'll hopefully ever get to one was at Brize Norton. I was driving to the mess alongside the runway (road vehicles only on this stretch) and the Red Arrows took off right next to me. Well, eight out of nine did. The remaining one suffered a birdstrike and careered off the runway in my direction. 40 seconds later as I parked up the fire crews were running out the mess from lunch. As I looked back the Hawk had ended up right next to where I'd been. I've just had a quick Google for this incident but I can't find any reference to it at all but I swear it happened!
