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Mishaps

Missile rail breaks from
Thunderbird F-16 during show
[updated]

Sunday, August 21, 2005 - An aerial
performance by the U.S. Air Force
Thunderbirds was cut short Saturday after a
missile rail fell from an F-16C during the
Chicago Air and Water Show. It seems that
the right wingtip missile rail of the "slot," or
number-four, touched the left horizontal
stabilizer of the right wingman and thus
broke off.

The incident took place during the first few minutes
of the Thunderbirds' show. Seconds before the
piece fell off, the planes had streaked over the
crowded beach.

The four-foot-long missile rail appeared to fall into
Lake Michigan as four of the Thunderbirds' fighter
F-16s banked upward in their trademark diamond
formation.

All six F-16s landed safely at the Gary-Chicago
Airport, Ind., after the incident. No one was
injured.

The two pilots involved had logged at least 1,300
hours each in the F-16, but they were new to their
formation positions this season.

Thunderbird right wing pilot, Maj. Chris Callahan
returned this season after a two-year hiatus. And
Maj. Steve Horton is in his first season flying in the
no.4 slot position.

The last time two Thunderbird jets touched while
aloft was in 1999 when two F-16s collided taking
off in diamond formation during a Florida air show.

Chicago Police marine units were dispatched to a
section of Lake Michigan where authorities believe
the item landed, to attempt to retrieve the rail.

The Air Force said it is taking no chances, and
immediately dispatched a safety team to inspect all
of the aircraft.

http://www.f-16.net/f-16_news_article1439.html