Fighter jet crashes at Idaho air show

CNN.Com / U.S. ^ | Monday, September 15, 2003 Posted: 12:05 AM EDT (0405 GMT) | CNN / AP

[Bobby777]

MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho (AP) -- A jet in the Air Force's elite Thunderbirds flight unit crashed at an air show Sunday, but the pilot ejected with only minor injuries and no injuries on the ground were reported.

About 85,000 spectators looked on as one of the six Lockheed Martin F-16C Fighting Falcons performing crashed during the "Gunfighter Skies 2003" air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base, about 50 miles southeast of Boise.

[Bobby777]

An F-16 from the Thunderbirds flying team explodes on impact at Mountain Home Air Force Base Sunday. The pilot ejected safely.

[Bobby777]

FYI ping ... you probably already saw it ...

[xrp]

Already posted

[Bobby777]

thanks, I looked for "Idaho Air Show" on the CNN title ... oh well .. 8)

[ibtheman]

I had crewed F-16's at bergstrom air force base, in Austin, tx. As a reservest. This goes to show you the importance of the ejection system. The pilot after he ejects from that particular system, he is now 1/4" to 1/2" shorter in height. The seat has 4 rocket motors. The a/c can be on the ground and still the pilot can eject safetly. The pilot can eject one more time from that system, and then he will be physically grounded from flying fighters, due to the spinal cord being compressed. That pilot is going to throw one big party for the guys that installed that seat, the guys that did the last servicing of that seat saved that mans life! The jet 30 million, a pilot no amount of money can replace him! The problem with the jet remains to be researched very thourghly. Even the pilot and crew chief, and who assisted the launch of that aircraft, they have to pee in the bottle, and give blood, no excuses!

[MEG33]

Thanks for the information.

[NerdDad]

Thunderbird crash Ping.

[borisbob69]

Brings back memories. I was an Air Traffic Controller in the Air Force (1966-1986) and spent 3 years at Nellis as well as my last 3 years on active duty at Mt Home. Saw the Thunderbirds perform dozens of times and always hoped they would be safe. Glad the pilot ejected successfully.

[Bobby777]

is that ACES II? I was thinking ACES II was zero-zero capable ... cool ...

[Bobby777]

worked with a guy that was an ATC for Coast Guard / FAA ... he was near where the T-Bird's tragedy happened back in the 80's(?) ... don't remember ... he was watching the practice ...

glad this one turned out OK ...

[JETDRVR]

Does Martin Baker still hand out the tie tacks for a sucessfull ejection?

[Bobby777]

I didn't know about that ...

[JETDRVR]

Wasnt trying to be funny, glad the guy made it ok!
I heard about the tie tack deal from a friend of mine who ferried F-5 echos to Argentinia, that apparently some of their Aviators punched out on purpose to get the MB tie tack