Thunderbirds incident

[Wingnathan]

Trying to get an idea what people think will happen now
Yes-will continue as expected
No-they won't attend
Post below


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[luke28]

As long as the pilot is ok, which is by far the most important thing, then I think they will continue as normal.

[Amp]

I think they will make sure the crew are okay, tidy the scene and then conduct an investigation... Curious incident!

[Droptank]

Latest is that both occupants (Pilot and maintenance person) are in good shape in hospital.

The Thunderbirds have stated that they are considering whether to display at Dayton this weekend so plenty of time for them to get sorted
before they visit our shores- let's not start speculation about cancelling!

It wasn't a display jet as such, so I expect it was a secondary level or spare pilot too so the show will probably go on.

Great that both crew are OK, such a strange incident, it must have been on hell of a gust of wind!

More will come out in due course I am sure.

Droptank.

[martmpf]

A later update:
http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/ ... -show.html

[martmpf]

The press conference that Lt. Col. Jason Heard, the Thunderbirds commander gave the information quoted, was streamed live on the link given in the similar thread.
I watched it
So a little additional.
1. As well as not being a Thunderbird display aircraft, neither was the pilot. It was one of two spares. A bit like Red 10.
2. The aircraft landed in very heavy rain, but within safe USAF regulations/limits. The commander did not see the incident, but a number of Thunderbird personnel and others, particularly in the tower did.
3. During questions, a journalist stated that a witness he had spoken to stated the aircraft appeared to aquaplane. The commander stated that any comment on the cause would remain for the investigation board.
3. It took about one and a half hours to extract the first (pilot), about half an hour longer for the second.

From other sources, particularly the airport CEO, broadcast live:
1. Additional USAF personnel from very nearby Wright-Patterson Air Force Base rapidly attended.
2. A principle initial issue was to disarm both ejector seats. Something airport first attenders could not do.

[martmpf]

The commander also stated the F-16 landed on runway 06. From Google Earth, not far (much less than 300ft.) from the end of 06, crosses a second runway. The live coverage, and never was stated, it crossed that.
I assume it did not over run the end then.
IF, on landing it veered to the right, it would cross grass "and came to a rest about 300 feet from the runway".
This could easily be near a taxiway, as they are all to the right of 06.
Giveng the impression it was taxiing and was blown over by wind.
Much of the local area is flooded.

Edit: Spelling!

[HeliPaul]

Might give us a clue in a notam issued today:

2) B1082/17: Temporary restricted area changed **NEW**

Q) EGTT/QRTCH/IV/BO/W/000/085/5144N00144W020

AMEND AIC M057/2017 AS FOLLOWS. RESTRICTED AREA (TEMPORARY) FOR
FAIRFORD ROYAL INTERNATIONAL AIR TATTOO. DELETE PARAGRAPH 4 AND 5
AND ASSOCIATE CHART FOR USAF THUNDERBIRDS FORMATION DISPLAY TEAM.
AR 2017-07-0031/AS6

LOWER: Surface
UPPER: FL085
FROM: 23 Jun 2017 17:30 GMT (18:30 BST)
TO: 17 Jul 2017 16:00 GMT (17:00 BST)

[mushbuster]

Pilot involved was Thunderbird 8 (Captain Erik Gonsalves ) who is like their Red 10 as a lead/logistics pilot often flies the D model.http://afthunderbirds.com/site/members/Officers/

https://twitter.com/AFthunderbird08?ref ... 6t%3D77790
Shows him smiling in hospital, the passenger was a crew chief and he has left hospital already.

Not sure this incident will have that much affect on their display itinerary. Thankfully no one badly injured

[MRTT]

Might give us a clue in a notam issued today:

2) B1082/17: Temporary restricted area changed **NEW**

Q) EGTT/QRTCH/IV/BO/W/000/085/5144N00144W020

AMEND AIC M057/2017 AS FOLLOWS. RESTRICTED AREA (TEMPORARY) FOR
FAIRFORD ROYAL INTERNATIONAL AIR TATTOO. DELETE PARAGRAPH 4 AND 5
AND ASSOCIATE CHART FOR USAF THUNDERBIRDS FORMATION DISPLAY TEAM.
AR 2017-07-0031/AS6

LOWER: Surface
UPPER: FL085
FROM: 23 Jun 2017 17:30 GMT (18:30 BST)
TO: 17 Jul 2017 16:00 GMT (17:00 BST)

Cancellation?

[CHILL51]

It looks like it.

[MRTT]

To be honest, I reckon they'll still attend. It seems to early to have made a decision.

EDIT: Can't seem to be able to find that NOTAM?

[martmpf]

During his press conference, the commander stated that no decision had been made on Thunderbird participation in (now) today's airshow, or Sunday. He was asked if he had any say in these decisions, he said he had, but these things went way above him.
He appeared to receive a message towards the end of the conference and stated that he could now confirm that Saturday's show was definitely off.
He wasn't asked about that then

[MRTT]

I'm still fairly optimistic that they'll attend.

[welshandy]

17.08 this posted on their Facebook page 16mins ago.

"The F-16D involved in the mishap has been cleared from the scene and the interim safety board is on-going. The decision to continue flying operations is to be determined.
"As the investigation continues our main focus is the well-being of our Airmen, their families and returning to the mission," said Lt. Col. Jason Heard, Commander/Leader, "Safety is our top priority and we are evaluating our processes and readiness to perform."
We'll provide updates as they become available."

One of the comments states "it was due to the Nose landing Gear not coming down"

[MRTT]

Really not looking good for RIAT, great shame.

[Phil]

Really not looking good for RIAT, great shame.

How do you deduce that from the update. You always seem the first to post but 9/10 haven't got a clue with what's going on. Can I suggest you just keep quiet until some official confirmation.

[MRTT]

Must have missed the rule that stated we're no longer allowed to have an opinion?

[Wingnathan]

Have heard that it's a backup pilot and plane sort of deal so with any luck it's going to happen, even if it did the team will find a good replacement for a headline earthier way we got the bomber collection from the US so that's good anyway


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[martmpf]

In some of the photo's and the live TV coverage, it looked like the nose gear could be missing, or at least folded back. I saw that, but didn't assume it had not descended. Could be it may have sunk in very wet grass and came off as it tipped over?
Surely the pilot and/or tower would have known if it had not come down?
The witness in the live question to the commander only spoke of "aquaplaning".
Not clearly seeing the nose gear from the photo's, could just be a "Facebook" assumption.
Incidentally, he was not a backup pilot, commander stated well over,1,600 hours fast jets and multiple combat tours. If like Red 10, ex team member. The aircraft was a Thunderbirds display spare.

We'll all have to wait and see I suppose.