http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/05/27/virginia.blue.angels/index.html?hpt=T2 Which manuver was it that was botched? The video doesn't really show anything abnormal, has this been an ongoing problem?
I agree that the videoclip shows nothing unusual to me, and I've seen the Blues enough times to know what their routine should look like. It would be better to have someone who was actually there and also knows the Blues to comment on what may have happened. But I can't recall a commander quitting in mid-season before.
It was a diamond roll. See 23rd min. http://airpigz.com/blog/2011/5/24/video-proof-blue-angels-really-are-humans-lynchburg-airshow.html They pulled out of the bottom of the loop at 150' AGL....minimum is 500'.
The leader almost led all four of them into the ground like Thunderbird lead did at Indian Springs on 18 January 1982. He realized what was happening and called an abort, luckily. The floor for the airshow was 500' and one F/A-18 bottomed out at 130'. Too close for comfort and he immediately fired himself, the correct thing to do. Not sure what caused the near crash, but we lost an F-16, and Aces II saved the pilot, when the incorrect field elevation was set at Mountain Home AFB, ID on 15 September 2003. A split S was attempted at an altitude that made it impossible to make the corner. Pilot ejected ~1 second before impact and suffered only minor injuries. Taz Terry Phillips
Flight discipline is a pretty big deal right now in the Air Force, particularly if you are doing anything in front of the public. There was a well publicized incident about six months ago where a four ship of T-38s did a 150' AGL pass over a college football game which was significantly below the minimum. Of course the top of the stadium isn't at ground level so they only cleared the score board by something like 30' if I remember correctly. There was a pretty good write up about it along with video in Air Force Times web site. Then the C-17 crash a year or so ago in Alaska also brought a lot attention to air show performances. Not sure how much the Navy and USAF track each other on this but I'm guessing that there is at least a little cross talk in the safety areas.
Man, that was dangerous. I agree with you TAZ, he did the right thing relieving himself. I wonder if he got an earful from the other pilots. I know I wouldn't have been happy.
Reminds me of this video - of course, not of this incident. One of the only in cockpit videos I've seen of a Blue Angel or Thunderbird show. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nM_ZB7jqxz8
That looked closer than 130' to me. Standing down is not without precedence. It was done a few years back when the then commander realized he wasn't getting all the work done in the cockpit. When tasked with the groups safety, there really can be no cutting corners. They didn't perform for close to two years IIRC before the previous exec could take command. I remember standing at the dock in Annapolis and clearly seeing a visor looking at me. I won't venture a guess as to elevation. Close enough. Clearly stepping down is the right thing to do.
He did the right and honorable thing. If he had not, it may have been done for him. It is a very, very harsh and mistake intolerant world in which they live. Wish them all the best.
So what will happen to the guy? Will he just be re-assigned to a regular F-18 squadron? Or will this cause him to be unable to fly in any capacity?
He will be likely be assigned to a non-flying job for a while and then it all depends on his superiors. He fouled up once, but is undoubtedly a superb pilot and squadron commander. Here is hoping he moves up. He will undoubtedly retire as a Captain, but the incident may or may not hurt his chances as a flag (admiral) officer. Nobody was killed and the brass had to be impressed with his no excuses solution to the near accident. A friend of mine was fired as a squadron commander after an accident that killed two of his guys in Desert Shield, but nothing about the accident went into his effectiveness reports (intentionally), and he retired as a 2 star. Taz Terry Phillips
He choose the correct path. I spoke to an F-84F pilot a few days ago. What a sad story. At Bergstrom AFB (Austin, TX), a junior general came to inspect the 12th Strategic Fighter Wing. They put up a large gaggle of airplanes. The lead banked and the formation did not have enough altitude. They lost two pilots and airplanes that day.
their back,first show is ''Davenport Iowa'' june 18,, could this have been a mechanical problem and not human?
