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Fighter jet crashes at Idaho air show
CNN.Com / U.S. ^ | Monday, September 15, 2003 Posted: 12:05 AM EDT (0405 GMT) | CNN / AP

Posted on 09/14/2003 9:37:03 PM PDT by Bobby777

Edited on 04/29/2004 2:03:07 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]

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.


(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; US: Idaho
KEYWORDS: airforce; airshow; eject; thunderbirds

1 posted on 09/14/2003 9:37:03 PM PDT by Bobby777
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To: Bobby777


An F-16 from the Thunderbirds flying team explodes on impact at Mountain Home Air Force Base Sunday. The pilot ejected safely.
2 posted on 09/14/2003 9:38:49 PM PDT by Bobby777
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To: Pukin Dog
FYI ping ... you probably already saw it ...
3 posted on 09/14/2003 9:40:40 PM PDT by Bobby777
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To: Bobby777
Already posted
4 posted on 09/14/2003 9:44:48 PM PDT by xrp
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To: xrp
thanks, I looked for "Idaho Air Show" on the CNN title ... oh well .. 8)
5 posted on 09/14/2003 9:50:35 PM PDT by Bobby777
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To: Bobby777
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!
6 posted on 09/14/2003 11:08:49 PM PDT by ibtheman
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To: ibtheman
Thanks for the information.
7 posted on 09/14/2003 11:36:38 PM PDT by MEG33
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To: Clarinet_King
Thunderbird crash Ping.
8 posted on 09/15/2003 3:08:46 AM PDT by NerdDad
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To: Bobby777
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.
9 posted on 09/15/2003 5:02:30 AM PDT by borisbob69 (This space available...)
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To: ibtheman
is that ACES II? I was thinking ACES II was zero-zero capable ... cool ...
10 posted on 09/15/2003 7:38:57 AM PDT by Bobby777
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To: borisbob69
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 ...
11 posted on 09/15/2003 7:40:27 AM PDT by Bobby777
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To: Bobby777
Does Martin Baker still hand out the tie tacks for a sucessfull ejection?
12 posted on 09/15/2003 7:41:53 AM PDT by JETDRVR
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To: JETDRVR
I didn't know about that ...
13 posted on 09/15/2003 7:49:44 AM PDT by Bobby777
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To: Bobby777
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
14 posted on 09/15/2003 7:53:37 AM PDT by JETDRVR
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