AN official enquiry has concluded pilot error caused a fighter jet to crash into the North Sea earlier this year.

At approximately 9.30am on Monday, June 15, whilst taking part in routine training exercise an F15C ‘Eagle’ aircraft from the US Air Force at RAF Lakenheath crashed into the North Sea, killing the pilot.

The dead airman, 27-year-old 1st Lt Kenneth Allen, known as Kage was originally from Utah. He had only been in the UK since February this year, when he got married.

Lt Allen had been flying with three other aircraft at a location 74 miles north west of the coast off Flamborough Head near Scarborough. They had been pitted against six other aircraft who were defending the Royal Navy’s aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. He was a last minute replacement for another pilot who had reported ill during the night.

During the air-to-air training engagement, Lt Allen was initially flying east at 20,300ft and was directed to look for an exercise adversary aircraft at a lower altitude. After firing a simulated a missile he descended several thousand feet. When his attitude became very low and he attempted to pull up but hit the water at high speed. The pilot did not eject.

Following the crash, a major search and rescue operation was launched involving military aircraft from the UK, US and EU countries. A Coastguard helicopter, and Bridlington and Scarborough RNLI lifeboats were also sent to the area. Poor weather hampered the visual search.

The impact completely destroyed the aircraft with wreckage scattered across the sea bed. The pilot’s body later recovered along with some debris although not the flight recorder.

The United States Air Force Aircraft Accident Investigation Board carried out a formal investigation into the crash. It concluded the cause of the accident was the pilot’s “fixation on his intercept of the adversary aircraft and failure to execute cockpit instrument visual scans". Reduced visibility due to cloud and lack of a discernible horizon resulted in spatial disorientation.

Lt Allen was an experienced and respected F-15C pilot and known as a hard worker and well-qualified for the role. There were no apparent maintenance or health factors that could have affected the pilot or aircraft.

General Jeff Harrigian of The United States Air Force, said: “ This unfortunate accident is yet another reminder of the inherent risks airmen and take on a daily basis to ensure the success is of our Air Force. Lieutenant Alan was an outstanding officer with it and a tremendous asset to the team no words can compensate for such a painful and sudden loss.”