kevin922 0 #1 September 15, 2003 Sorry if this was already posted, didn't see it.. here 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. Capt. Chris Stricklin ejected safely and was taken to a medical facility on base. Air Force officials would not disclose his condition, though immediately after the crash he reportedly waved to spectators. According to witnesses, the jet was the last of six to take off and climbed straight into the sky. The pilot maneuvered the jet into a dive and steered toward the crowd. The jet seemed to suffer an engine failure when the pilot tried to pull up, witnesses said. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash. The Thunderbirds unit has performed air demonstrations since 1947. The jets at the air show were from Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leroydb 0 #2 September 15, 2003 glad no one was hurt really badLeroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuteless 1 #3 September 15, 2003 The Thunderbirds are the very best air demo unit anywhere in the world. I am glad he punched out and is okay. I used to live on the air show circuit, and was always amazed at what class they showed...on the ground and in the air.Total CLASS ACT ! ! ! The blue Angels are also great, and in 1965, I was first to get to the body of a B.A. pilot after he crashed. I was completely broke up for three days.Absolutely devastated...and it still hurst bigtime to think about it. I hope you dont mind, but in his memory, his name was Dick Oliver. I was okay for 20 minutes after finding him, but when the rest of the team flew directly over me and a few others where his body was, trailing red, white and blue smoke...and his slot missing...that did me in. Thats all I can say....my eyes are watery already. As for the Snowbirds....good pilots ...lousy equipment. The Thunderbirds....the very very very best. Bill Cole D-41 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdctlc 0 #4 September 15, 2003 Saw the video on TV last night and the crash was spactacular! Of the few different videos shot you see the plane comming around and trying to pull the nose up all but it just keeps sinking. The pilot pops out about 3 seconds before the plane hits. It is clear to see him eject but none of the videos showed much or the parachute opening and his landing but instead followed the crash and fire with lots of "Oh My God's comming from the crowd. A few seconds later they pan over to the pilot throwing some stuff on the ground and then waving to the crowd. They reported that he had about 1500 hours flying jets and this was his first year in the Thunderbirds.. Scott C. When I say spactacular above I mean it in a firey crash way, not by any streach of the imagination in a good way...."He who Hesitates Shall Inherit the Earth!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevin922 0 #5 September 15, 2003 video found here Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blahr 0 #6 September 15, 2003 QuoteThe Thunderbirds are the very best air demo unit anywhere in the world. I am glad he punched out and is okay. I saw the Blue Angels. I"m not sure how they comapre but that was a hell of a show. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Unstable 9 #7 September 15, 2003 He didn't punch out at much more than 100 ' off the ground! Those exector seats are amazing -=========Shaun ========== Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuteless 1 #8 September 15, 2003 The Blue Angels are truly a great team...but I think the Thunderbirds are BEST. At a hotel after a show, one of the Thunderbird pilots was perfectly attired, and when he spoke, he did so in such a manner as to bring the best PR out on behalf of his government. People were amazed at how professional he was. Real Class A few years back, the Thunderbirds were practicing over the Nevada desert..the flight leader miscalculated, and plowed into the ground. Perfectly professional, so did left wing, right wing, and tail end of the diamond formation. Not one of the flight broke off to save his skin.....even if he could have. Four dead...professionals to the very end. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,146 #9 September 15, 2003 QuoteThe Thunderbirds are the very best air demo unit anywhere in the world. How many air show teams have you seen from outside north America? I'm not necessarily disagreeing, but there is a tendency to equate best in the USA with best in the world without actually looking at the rest of the world. I have seen the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels maybe a dozen times each, as well as the Red Arrows (UK), Patrouille Francais (France), Snowbirds, and a German team whose name I don't remember. Each has its own character and style. On any given day I'd say that any one of them could be considered "best".... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuteless 1 #10 September 15, 2003 perhaps you have a point....I have only seen performers in North America...and Euopean teams on film...but I simply cannot imagine anyone being better in every aspect of a show in the manner the TBirds are. I have walked and talked with many of them, and simply cannot imagining a better all round performance...in the air and on the ground. Dazzling all the way. If its possible to be better....I sure would like to witness it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #11 September 15, 2003 Quote He didn't punch out at much more than 100 ' off the ground! Those exector seats are amazing - zero altitude, zero speed capable... will even right him if he eject inverted as long as he has enough altitude... chalk another one up for the acessII ejection seat...... p.s. i'll probly hear about i at work.. if i hear anything later whn they finish the incident report i'll bring the thread back up...(probly won'tbe for months though...) ______________________________________ "i have no reader's digest version" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MC208B 0 #12 September 15, 2003 I bet his engine was running just fine, looked like an accelerated stall to me with the way it was sinking. Glad the pilot got out ok tho Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflyguy 0 #13 September 16, 2003 I hadn't heard the audio before. Thought his motor had quit. But, now it just looks like he "hooked low" and high speed stalled on the rear risers. ---------------------------- bzzzz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildblue 7 #14 September 16, 2003 QuoteHow many air show teams have you seen from outside north America? I saw the Thunderbird, the Blue Angels, and the Snowbirds all in the same day. I'd say the Snowbirds put on the best performance of them all. The Thunderbirds were still impressive. The Blue Angels were not it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #15 September 18, 2003 QuoteQuoteHow many air show teams have you seen from outside north America? I saw the Thunderbird, the Blue Angels, and the Snowbirds all in the same day. I'd say the Snowbirds put on the best performance of them all. The Thunderbirds were still impressive. The Blue Angels were not *** Yeah but you were spoiled by that FANTASTIC performance the CIVILIAN parachute team put on!!! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildblue 7 #16 September 18, 2003 QuoteYeah but you were spoiled by that FANTASTIC performance the CIVILIAN parachute team put on!!! Very true. You guys made the military parachute team look.... well.... boring! it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
