Navy Jets Crash in Tennessee, San Diego (more F18s down)

Fox News ^ | Monday, March 29, 2004 | Associated Press

[singlemomofone]

SPRING CITY, Tenn.

[singlemomofone]

Geesh...F18s are dropping like flies. I work in RTP, just a few miles from the RDU airport, and we had one crash while trying to take off the other day.

What's up with this?

(I'm practicing the art of ducking!)

[al baby]

Nothing to see here folks its bushs fault

[Keith]

Well, I think we can all see that by putting in all that flying time, Bush was just sitting on his ass, out of harm's way, like any slacker little rich boy since flying jet planes is so safe and cushy.

\sarcasm.

[GeronL]

Freepers told me they were underpowered...

even the Super Hornets are they said. I guess I believe it.

[HarryCaul]

Hmm. 3 in a week is a problem. Looks like a grounding soon, I guess. Might have a negative effect in Iraq, depending on how many of them are in use there. If any. I assume they're doing some kind of air patrols, though.

[Lurking in Kansas]

...Bush was just sitting on his ass, out of harm's way, like any slacker little rich boy ...

Right! And what did Bush know and when did he know it?? Hmmm? His advisors told him over a year ago that this plane was going to crash. Like singlemomofone said, F18s are dropping like flies! Why doesn't Bush DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!

/sarcasm (In case you couldn't tell :-))

[cookcounty]

Maybe it's related to this:

  Arabic posting:  "Tomorrow you will watch the destruction of an American Aircraft Carrier"  Within the past half hour, a posting was made on an Arabic language jihad forum that has proven credible in the past. 

[Paulie]

"What's up with this? "

Maybe it's time to check the maintennance crew. Could be coincidence...but then again it could be sabatoge. I seem to remember learning that out military has been infiltrated by muslims. Remember the American soldier who lobbed a couple of hand grenades into our tent in Iraq?

[Belisaurius]

Can you say Safety Standdown, kids?

I knew you could.

[PokeyJoe]

Expect the Navy to issue a general order, ground all jets, do inspections (and FOD walks) and talks about safety for the next 24-48 hours.

[SoCalPol]

The jet that went down a few miles off the coast here
in San Diego was seen by many on the beaches. A tourist
took home movies of it skimming across the water.
Everyone is OK.

[UNGN]

San Diego was an F-14

[dk/coro]

No impact on Iraq, of course. But, this trend is totally unsatisfactory -- whether pilot error (which I suspect) or possibly, but not too likely - "mechanical."

The Navy Accident Boards are very thorough -- and the cause or causes will be found -- sooner rather than later.

In case you are wondering -- I've "been there; done that", in spades.

Further, Type Commanders may have to ground the Lant, Mar, and Res "type" flying until a "safety stand down" is conducted -- to collectively re-think procedures, etc.
Kindest regards.