A military helicopter returning from a training exercise was forced to make two precautionary landings in Mid Wales, including one near Newtown, on Thursday (July 27) evening due to technical issues.

Engineers were flown in on a Chinook from RAF Valley to fix another Chinook that had landed in the Pentrellifior area between Bettws Cedewain and Berriew on Thursday afternoon.

Shortly after leaving, the Chinook was forced to land in the Arthog area, near Dolgellau and will remain there for up to two days while engineers fix the fault and once repaired a new crew will fly the aircraft back to RAF Valley.

The Ministry of Defence said personnel from RAF Benson, Cosford and Valley are en-route to the site to cordon off the area and carry out repairs.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “We can confirm that a Chinook helicopter from 28 Squadron based at RAF Benson was required to make a precautionary landing due to technical issues on the evening of 27 July 2023. 

County Times: A Chinook from RAF Valley came to the rescue. Image: David ListerA Chinook from RAF Valley came to the rescue. Image: David Lister (Image: David Lister)

“The landing was taken as a precautionary measure and at no stage was there any danger to the public or the aircrew involved.”

The crew at Pentrellifior were more than happy for local photographer David Lister to take pictures of the Chinook and even invited him on board for a tour.

“My sister lives close by and spotted the one which had broken down,” he said. “I then went up and met the crew who then were waiting for a second chinook to come from RAF Valley on Anglesey to bring some engineers and a new part down.

“An hour or so later that arrived, dropped more crew and supplies off and left.

“Then they fixed the one and it left. The crew were really nice and invited a few of us on board for a look around and the local farmer made them tea and coffee.”

County Times: A Chinook was forced to land in a field in Pentrellifior near Bettws Cedewain and Berriew. Image: David ListerA Chinook was forced to land in a field in Pentrellifior near Bettws Cedewain and Berriew. Image: David Lister (Image: David Lister)

The aircraft was taking part in Exercise KUKRI DAWN and was returning to RAF Valley.

Exercise KUKRI DAWN is the conclusion to the Operational Conversion Unit training conducted by 28 (AC) Squadron, ensuring that crews are tested in challenging and unfamiliar environments prior to deployment on front line squadrons at RAF Odiham in Hampshire. 

The Ministry of Defence said training provides key skills for pilots and crew members to operate the Chinook helicopter on operations and humanitarian aid tasks within the UK and overseas.