Posted on 12/03/2015 6:32:44 PM PST by Excuse_My_Bellicosity
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- A bird strike led to the crash and destruction of a T-38C Talon from Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, July 19, 2013, according to a recently released Air Force accident investigation board report.
The investigation board determined the bird strike shattered the T-38C Talon canopy, which sent fragments through the number two engine causing engine failure. The shattered canopy also significantly increased the aerodynamic drag of the aircraft.
Additionally, investigators said the actions of the instructor pilot following the strike contributed to the mishap. In an attempt to return to base, the instructor pilot executed a turn that increased drag on the aircraft, robbing it of badly needed airspeed and lift which caused the aircraft to enter into an unrecoverable stall. The pilot delayed ejection as he attempted to avoid flying over the city of Wichita Falls, Texas, and the aircraft impacted the ground about two miles south of the base.
The instructor pilot and student, assigned to the 80th Flying Training Wing, were executing a planned touch-and-go, simulated single-engine approach training exercise when the aircraft sustained the bird strike.
Both pilots safely ejected from the aircraft, suffering nonlife- threatening injuries. There were no fatalities or significant damage to civilian property. The loss of the aircraft cost nearly $8 million, the report said.
Active Duty ping.
They weren't in the cockpit with plexiglass flying in a high subsonic windstorm with blood and guts all over the visors. Something far from their perfect world.
Sounds like a good job to me.
The IP did some good things but is always going to catch the full load from the Board. No more IP seat and probably a rip on the next rating board = promotion becomes questionable and next assignment not likely to be Hawaii.
Glad he made it home to his family
My dad was not so lucky
Took a seagull strike on the windscreen of a TA-4J launching out of P-cola on a night aerobatic & navigation flight, me the retread Student Naval Aviator in the front cockpit, plowback Instructor Pilot in the rear cockpit. Left gear & flaps down, climbed out over the water for handling checks & fuel dump. GCA approach, with bootful of right rudder to see out the left side of the canopy. Squirrelly rollout looking out the side. Landing gear damage from the strike caused hard left drift. Kept it on the runway (barely) and shut down there after crash crew arrived and pinned the gear. Knees knocked and adrenaline exhaustion immediately after. IP had me fly the entire time — I think he was as scared as I was. True story.
Neither was my best friend, Captain Willie Mays, US Air Force Thunderbirds, killed in Jan., 1982, Indian Springs
Wow!
The closest I can relate was a buddy of mine taking a girl for a ride in his newly acquired 454 powered ski boat. He chased some mud hens to impress her. Caught one with the bow and it relieved itself all over her. She was duly impressed but not in a good way.
Funny story, though. “How do you like me now?!”
Must read for any aviation buffs “Fate is the Hunter” E.K. Gann
Not only a pilot but a sailor. I suggest “Song of the Siren”.
I don’t know. But it seems I remember the guys would go out on a Saturday and shoot birds as a sort of ... Off duty assignment and shoot birds so they wouldn’t end up in the flight path of a tweet or a ‘38
Once the plane was disabled in the air, it was done. What happened after that resulted in this: “There were no fatalities or significant damage to civilian property.”
Sounds like a good job to me.
Ditto. Turning into the bad engine can slow things down but at least they got to go the bar that night!
Very sorry for your loss.
Was that the “Diamond Crash”?
8 million dollars for a T-38?
Must be inflation adjusted as a new one was less than a million.
That or the glass cockpit upgrade to a C model was very expensive.
Thank you
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