Thunderbirds Eject/Crash -- How It Happened

AVweb's Glenn Pew http://www.glennpew.com takes a look at the factors leading to the crash. This video includes all previously released footage and images made available to AVweb in January, 2004, plus the results of the official investigation.

USAF Thunderbirds ejection at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.

For more, see: http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/briefs/186633-1.html

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• investigation
• ejection
• USAF
• thunderbirds
• stricklin
• crash
• airplane
• jet
• aerobatics
• glenn
• pew
• f-16
• mountain
• avweb
• aviation
• air
• force
• 2003

[sonicfan1996]

sure you lost a jet, but you saved millions more on training another pilot's ass when he ejected, quit crying

[Lamb00FGoD]

Towards my last comment... Alot of respect to this guy. These guys are triained to never just dump,or give up on the aircraft. They were mentioning how his arm never left the stick till the split second before it wrecked. I know he knew long before he ejected that he was going to loose that plane,but fought for it all the way till the end.

[001looker]

That pilot sucks, i would have easily keep the plane from crashing.

[halokris13]

Damn aero dynamics, you scary!

[kLeRrks]

how it happened? it was a WOMAN flying the jet. thats all. ;-)

[atomhammer1]

We lost that money the second we built those pointless jets in the first place. Must be nice playing "acrobat" on the public dime. Our country is drowning in debt, but we MUST borrow billions from the Chinese for a "defense" budget as large as the next nine powers combined? And seven of those powers are allies? Our military is just a big government jobs program that builds nothing.

[riderpoet]

In any airplane except one equipped with a superb modern ejection seat (such as a P-51 Mustang or an Extra 300, for example,) he would have paid the ultimate price for his mistake. I think he knows that, and that's good enough for me.

[zackeone]

@iostream999 He's still flying and is one heck of a pilot. It's a one crime Air Force, not a one mistake Air Force, and he's a perfect example of that.

[aratidwell]

This boggles my mind. I don't know how the air force expects such from pilots being rush-trained in extreme performance aircraft and set out to combat. I think many of these pilots forget some of the simpler parts of flying.

[EragonLea]

OK. Maybe my words/opinion are not correct. (like my english skills XD) but i have to say, this is an accident. accidents happens. yesterday, today and tomorrow. the important thing is that the pilot is still alive! i don't understand people who write about nationality or money what you need to pay the damage. it was an airshow. people fly to have fun and many people come to watch and have fun. the airshow cost a lot of money without an accident! no one died at this accident! thats important!

[TubularOnfire]

i was there... it was crazy

[KaseyJonesFTW]

i was there

[KickinNick09]

@sonicfan1996 Actually he got cut from the Thunderbirds and the majority of their flight training is done before they are in the T-Bird program.

[iostream999]

I saw the crash report. he is working a desk job now.

He forgot to change his ALT setting before doing the split S.

He went of MSL numbers he used on his home base.

this airfield was 1000 feet taller then that field. oops

[torro454]

@k2477456 There is still an application process of sorts, there has to be. Then the selection procecess, and if you are lucky, you are invited to be part of the Thunderbirds. For a pilot it is more formal than just saying your interested. To get a flight with the Thunderbirds is by invitation only! To be a part of the program you have to apply. It can be a 4 to an 8 year commitment depending on the position. It can be extremely hard on the people, their personal lives, and mirage. Regards

[k2477456]

@torro454 i didnt say there was no selection process i just know you cant apply showing interest is different

[Psycolynch]

AFTER THE CRASH....

"YOU DONT OWN THAT PLANE!!!!! THE TAXPAYERS DO!!!!!

SON YOUR EGO WROTE A CHECK YOUR BODY CAN'T CASH!!!!"

[torro454]

@k2477456 There is a selection process, you must show interest first. Show me one inexperienced pilot ever in the Thunderbirds. Add up hours of flight time, most have additional training of different types etc. Mandatory, no. Does it make a difference in the selection process, absolutely! True, they are some of the best pilots, and more experienced as well! However, some of the best pilots just don't fit in an acrobatic team, due to temperament, and chemistry. Navy is the Navy. LOL Regards.

[k2477456]

@RedgardH and your nationality?

[k2477456]

@torro454 you dont apply for the thunderbirds you are selected by the airforce there is no aditional training these are manuvers they mostly have already learned they just do them closer to the ground these pilots literaly are the very best of the best of fighter pilots same way with the blue angels

[torro454]

@k2477456 That is to solo a pilot, or combat ready status. Add the additional training , cost of flight hours, etc., and experience it took so he could simply apply to the Thunderbirds let alone be accepted. You will get a expenentially higher figure. In fact, it's incalcualable. Thanks for the info though, inflation has increased that figure. Regards.

[k2477456]

@sonicfan1996 2.2 million to train 1 USAF pilot

[andrespereyda]

@torro454 i know it's called murphy's law

[torro454]

@andrespereyda That is called "Murphy's Law." Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong, at the worst possible time. Sometimes I swear it is true!

[torro454]

@RedgardH LOL It almost costs that much to train the piolet! This is a military video, that is fact, simple information, not bitching! LOL

[stevethepilot]

This is one of the few commentaries I like.