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Whiteman planes collide, return safely
Muleskinner ^ | Feb 20, 2003 | Dana Fecho

Posted on 02/20/2003 4:39:43 PM PST by Noslrac

Two Air Force planes from Whiteman clipped each other Wednesday afternoon over Cannon Gunnery Range in south central Missouri. They both returned safely to the base and neither pilot was injured.

The A-10 Thunderbolt IIs were flying a routine training mission when the incident happened. Planes fly over Cannon Gunnery Range on a daily basis.

Minor damage was reported on both planes. Until the inspection is complete, no one is aware of the cost to repair the planes.

"[The] planes will eventually be able to fly again," said Lt. Brian Bowman from Whiteman.

An ongoing investigation into the incident continues to try to determine the cause.

Each plane is estimated to be worth $9.8 million, according to the Air Force's Web site.

These planes are used for close air support of ground troops, according to the fact sheet from the Web site. Low speeds and low altitude help the plane hit targets, even in undesirable weather conditions.

During Desert Storm, 90 percent of the AGM-65 Maverick missiles were launched by A-10 aircraft.

According to the Web site, A-10 aircraft are easily fixed due to their interchangeable left and right parts. Global Positioning Systems are being installed on all aircraft. It is unclear whether these two aircraft possessed this technology.

Bowman could not comment any further on the accident.


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: Missouri
KEYWORDS: a10; airforce; collide; flyingtank; missouri; safe; whiteman
Didn't see this anywhere, thought some might be interested in the story.
1 posted on 02/20/2003 4:39:44 PM PST by Noslrac
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To: Noslrac
A-10s are very very tough airplanes.

So9

2 posted on 02/20/2003 4:41:55 PM PST by Servant of the Nine (Republican's for Sharpton)
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To: Servant of the Nine
Yeah, thats why I added "flying tank" as a keyword lol
3 posted on 02/20/2003 4:45:09 PM PST by Noslrac
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To: Noslrac
I infer from the comment at the trailing end of the article that the writer has no frigging clue -- why would he have added the blurb about it being unclear if the aircraft had GPS? did he think it would have helped them avoid each other on the range?!? LOL! Send this gy off to the PX to get 50 feet of shoreline to secure the sky hooks

Anyway, fine testimony to the strength and durability of the A-10.
4 posted on 02/20/2003 5:01:02 PM PST by Blueflag
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To: Blueflag
Well the Muleskinner is the college once a week news paper of Central Missouri State University. CMSU just happens to be a few miles from Whiteman.
5 posted on 02/20/2003 5:06:15 PM PST by Noslrac
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To: Noslrac
those are the tank killers. we'll be needing those in about two weeks.
6 posted on 02/20/2003 5:08:36 PM PST by KickRightRudder
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