F-16 Ejection video

Dedman · Post by **Dedman** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 10:44 am

Video

Subject: Thunderbirds Accident Report Released
PRESS RELEASE -- Secretary of the Air Force, Directorate of Public Affairs

Release No. 0121045
Jan 21, 2004

Thunderbirds Accident Report Released

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. - Pilot error caused a U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 aircraft to crash shortly after takeoff at an air show Sept. 14 at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.

The pilot ejected just before the aircraft impacted the ground. According to the accident investigation board report released today, the pilot misinterpreted the altitude required to complete the "Split S" maneuver. He made his calculation based on an incorrect mean-sea-level altitude of the airfield. The pilot incorrectly climbed to 1,670 feet above ground level instead of 2,500 feet before initiating the pull down to the Split S maneuver.

When he realized something was wrong, the pilot put maximum back stick pressure and rolled slightly left to ensure the aircraft would impact away from the crowd should he have to eject. He ejected when the aircraft was 140 feet above ground -- just eight --tenths of a second prior to impact. He sustained only minor injuries from the ejection. There was no other damage to military or civilian property.

The aircraft, valued at about $20.4 million, was destroyed. Also, the board determined other factors substantially contributed to creating the opportunity for the error including the requirement for demonstration pilots to convert mean sea level and above ground level altitudes and performing a maneuver with a limited margin of error.

For more information, contact the ACC Public Affairs office at (757) 764-5007 or e-mail acc.pam@langley.af.mil

Topher · Post by **Topher** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 2:37 pm

So who was at fault? Was he provided with incorrect data?

Sounds like he did a heroic job of directing the aircraft away...

Hehe, without being able to see his facial expressions and no sound, it almost looks calm and routine with his hands folded as he ejects.

DCrazy · Post by **DCrazy** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 7:47 pm

If I understand the report correctly, he was required to convert units on-the-fly (no pun intended!) while performing a very risky maneuver.

Dedman · Post by **Dedman** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 9:04 pm

I am sure he worked it out in the pre-flight planning. The problem is that he was starting with inacurate data.

AceCombat · Post by **AceCombat** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 9:06 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by [NuB] Dedman:
When he realized something was wrong, the pilot put maximum back stick pressure and rolled slightly left to ensure the aircraft would impact away from the crowd should he have to eject. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

okay, that says he rolled left, but from what i just saw, he was perfectly level when he punched out. the ground was level with the wings, how could be rolled to the left if the ground was level in repsect to the wings

MehYam · Post by **MehYam** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 12:55 am

He ejected when the aircraft was 140 feet above ground -- just eight --tenths of a second prior to impact.

Whoa.

Defender · Post by **Defender** » Sun Feb 01, 2004 10:50 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by MehYam:
 He ejected when the aircraft was 140 feet above ground -- just eight --tenths of a second prior to impact.

Whoa.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Thats what i said!

Dedman · Post by **Dedman** » Wed Feb 04, 2004 10:55 am

Another video of the crash taken from the flight line.

AceCombat · Post by **AceCombat** » Wed Feb 04, 2004 12:41 pm

HOLY!! SH!T!!!!!

that was a HOOOOGE fireball

JMEaT · Post by **JMEaT** » Wed Feb 04, 2004 5:56 pm

Wow, that was freakin close.

woodchip · Post by **woodchip** » Wed Feb 04, 2004 6:02 pm

And just remember kiddies, our very own president was a fighter pilot with abilities just like that.

AceCombat · Post by **AceCombat** » Wed Feb 04, 2004 8:10 pm

i thought that was Daddy Bush, flew F-4U Corsairs in the Pacific WWII Theater

Dedman · Post by **Dedman** » Wed Feb 04, 2004 9:01 pm

Daddy Bush didn't fly Corsairs. He flew the Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo-bomber .
http://www.navalships.org/bush.html

Dub-ya flew F-102's in the Texas Air National Gaurd. And not very well from what I have read.
http://www.warbirdalley.com/sbd.htm
http://www.seanet.com/~johnco/bush102.htm

Sage · Post by **Sage** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 4:23 am

Dam that pilot is great. If they crashed every time do you know how many people would go to the airshows? Especially if they tried to crash into the crowd! Now that good American entertainment. Just like that Apache video and other death videos obtained via Kazaa.

AceCombat · Post by **AceCombat** » Thu Feb 05, 2004 3:47 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by [NuB] Dedman:
 Daddy Bush didn't fly Corsairs. He flew the Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo-bomber .

Dub-ya flew F-102's in the Texas Air National Gaurd. And not very well from what I have read.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

i stand corrected