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To: justlurking
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.
23 posted on 01/29/2004 10:37:35 AM PST by Fierce Allegiance (Just hanging around waiting until next years Dakar rally.)
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To: Fierce Allegiance
K, everything I said in previous post minus one week...LOL!! That'll teach me to post dates off the top of my head.

BTTT.
24 posted on 01/29/2004 11:00:14 AM PST by hattend (Are we there, yet?)
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