Search for downed aircraft stood down after nothing found

A large-scale search operation in the North Sea has been called off after no evidence of a downed aircraft was found.

The operation began after HM Coastguard received a report at 1:30 pm today of a possible aircraft crash in the area.

HM Coastguard quickly mobilised a comprehensive search effort, deploying a rescue helicopter, a fixed-wing aircraft, the Eyemouth RNLI lifeboat, and two nearby vessels to the scene, approximately 48 nautical miles east of Edinburgh.

The search covered a wide area of the North Sea, but despite the intensive efforts, no signs of an aircraft or debris were discovered.

A spokesperson for the Coastguard told the UK Defence Journal:

“At 13:30 this afternoon (13 August) HM Coastguard received a report of a possible downed aircraft in the North Sea. A coastguard helicopter, coastguard fixed-wing aircraft, Eyemouth RNLI lifeboat, and two vessels that were in the area were sent. A thorough search was carried out with nothing found, and the search has been stood down.”

Rumours circulating during the operation suggested that the aircraft in question might have been a Royal Air Force (RAF) plane.

However, when approached for comment, the Ministry of Defence told the UK Defence Journal that these rumours were incorrect, stating that no RAF aircraft were involved in the incident.

The circumstances that led to the report of a possible aircraft downing remain unclear.