Posted on 10/20/2022 8:55:16 AM PDT by Red Badger
An F-35 fighter jet crashed at an Air Force base in Utah on Wednesday, with the pilot having ejected from the aircraft prior to the crash, officials said.
“At approximately 6:15 p.m. an F-35 A Lightning II crashed at the north end of Hill Air Force Base runway. On and off base emergency crews responded immediately,” the 388th Fighter Wing announced on Twitter.
It also stated: “The pilot ejected, was recovered and has been taken to local medical center for observation. The cause of the crash is unknown and will be investigated.”
Hill Air Force Base about 30 miles (48 km) north of Utah’s capital, Salt Lake City. According to its website, it is an Air Force Materiel Command base, and is Air Force’s “second largest base by population and geographical size.”
Rep. Blake Moore (R-Utah), who represents Congressional District 1, where Hill Air Force Base is located, said on Twitter he and his team are monitoring the situation. “We are grateful to the emergency crews for their rapid response,” he also said.
‘Risky Business’
“Flying military aircraft is a risky business that we all accept when we go do it,” said Col. Craig Andrle, 388th Fighter Wing Commander, reported KUTV. “First and foremost, we’re thankful that he’s okay, he got out of the aircraft. We’re thankful that nobody on the ground was injured.”
Andrle said at a Wednesday night news briefing that the pilot was returning from a routine training mission, reported CBS.
The pilot had landed near the property of Brock Thurgood, who told KSL.com that the pilot was “walking and he was coherent.”
“He was waving his arms and yelling and walking down towards us and it was the pilot. I don’t really think there’s much to say other than that he’s OK, and that’s the most important part,” Thurgood told the outlet. He added that he, his daughter, and two other local residents sat with the pilot until first responders arrived.
“I don’t know how I’d be after I was in a plane crash, but he was surprisingly tough,” Thurgood said.
Brock Thurgood — “I don’t really think there’s much to say other than that he’s OK, and that’s the most important part”
Wow, somebody who actually admitted there wasn’t anything to say! And with a camera shoved in his face, no less. Well done, Mr. Thurgood!
Interesting, as there was an ejection article on FR last night...
Pilot error?
It is my understanding that ejecting from a military jet is very often going to injure the ejected person — in fact due to canopy conflicts on some aircraft it is guaranteed. That being said, I was told the F-35 is not as bad as older designs.
If so, hope he likes his new job as captain of janitorial services in Grand Forks.
Russian pilot?
According to white male Newton, Force = Mass X Acceleration.
For a light weight aviatrix Mass will be lower than a male.
Since the Force is built into the ejection seat...has to be sufficient for the largest pilot.
Acceleration = Force/Mass It is my understanding that ejecting from a military jet is very often going to injure the ejected person — in fact due to canopy conflicts on some aircraft it is guaranteed
Consequently a light weight aviatrix will experience a greater acceleration than her male counterpart.
Could could cause physical damage on ejection.
The pilot was seen walking and waving.
I wonder if he was waving his flying career good bye?
I wouldn't be surprised if they adjusted the the force built into the ejection seat to be optimal for the lightest aviatrix.
Certainly beats being a dead ‘hero’.
How many planes did McStain lose?.................
I don't know how the Air Force deals with these things, but my understanding of the way the Navy operates would indicate that it all depends on who your family is.
His Daddy was an Admiral. Those rules are different. Lol.
I was in the Marines with a guy whose daddy was an admiral.
He joined the Marines basically to piss off his dad.
He was one good guy...................😊
https://www.coffeeordie.com/martin-baker-ejection-tie-club
How much does an F-35 cost (the US taxpayer)?
“A single Air Force F-35A costs a whopping $148 million. One Marine Corps F-35B costs an unbelievable $251 million. A lone Navy F-35C costs a mind-boggling $337 million. Average the three models together, and a “generic” F-35 costs $178 million.”
https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/much-f-35-actually-cost/
What does he get for an UN-successful ejection?..................😜
A triangular folded flag to the next of kin.
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