[justlurking]

Note: this image has been doctored!

However, it is based on a real event:

http://www.avweb.com/newswire/10_05a/briefs/186582-1.html

In the article, you'll find a link to an in-cockpit video of the incident.

[martin_fierro]

Hey, that image has been Photoshopped.

(Just wanted to see how it felt to be on the GIVING end of this dumb statement for once)

[thackney]

"cool video" ping

The following is from the inside-the-plane camera:
http://www.avweb.com/newspics/tbirdcrash.mpg

[Rokke]

What part of it has been altered?

[Atlas Sneezed]

That video is incredible. Frame by frame the end is fascinating.

I don't understand about the photo, how it was created, and by whom. Is it entirely a fake mock up? What is photoshopped about it?

[eureka!]

jump, er, bump...

[Agnes Heep]

Interesting stuff.

[Johnny Gage]

Ok. Exactly in what way has it been altered?

The video is cool.

[Atlas Sneezed]

All it says is "with thanks to the folks at Adobe."

http://www.avweb.com/newswire/10_05b/potw/186611-1.html

[MIchaelTArchangel]

Now you know why F-16s are derisively called "lawn darts" by real fighter pilots.

[hattend]

A little trivia tidbit. This occurred on Sunday Sept 20th. We were driving back from the Reno Air Races and heard about the ejection. The Thunderbirds were at the air races on Saturday and went to the airshow where the accident occurred for a Sunday show.

The Friday before, my wife and I rode down the elevator at the Silver Legacy with the pilot who ejected. Got his autograph and some pictures.

No biggie, but like I said...trivia time.

[Fierce Allegiance]

I recieved this yesterday, with as near as i can tell identical picture from here:

http://www2.acc.af.mil/accnews/jan04/0010.html


Thunderbirds accident report released



Air Combat Command Public Affairs


01/21/2004 – LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (ACCNS) – Pilot error caused a U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 aircraft to crash shortly after takeoff at an airshow 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.

[Professional Engineer]

Aim High, er Low ping

[quietolong]

Cool!

[aruanan]

That Photoshop was used to prepare the image doesn't mean the image is a composite.