Blue Angels F/A-18 crashes in Beaufort, SC | FerrariChat

Blue Angels F/A-18 crashes in Beaufort, SC

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by BMW.SauberF1Team, Apr 21, 2007.

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  1. BMW.SauberF1Team

    BMW.SauberF1Team F1 World Champ

    Dec 4, 2004
    14,428
    FL
    Just reported on Fox News. Very little information right now. A few homes on fire.
     
  2. Dr C

    Dr C Formula Junior

    Dec 1, 2002
    480
    Kansas City
    Full Name:
    Ed
    This was just on cnn.com -- no injuries and no homes on fire. Hope so.

    "I was told [the pilot] was alive, but I can't confirm that," a South Carolina state trooper speaking on condition of anonymity told CNN.

    The officer said he and other state troopers were assisting the Marine Corps air station, which was putting on the show, by rerouting traffic around the crash site -- "which is said to not be around any houses -- so they can get the pilot out."

    Several hospitals said they had received no casualties."
     
  3. BMW.SauberF1Team

    BMW.SauberF1Team F1 World Champ

    Dec 4, 2004
    14,428
    FL
    SC coroner says at least one person is dead.

    Edit: Navy says pilot is dead.
     
  4. Dr C

    Dr C Formula Junior

    Dec 1, 2002
    480
    Kansas City
    Full Name:
    Ed
    Unfortunately, the lastest CNN does say that one person is dead but could not confirm whether or not it was the pilot.

    "The Beaufort County coroner's office told CNN there is one confirmed fatality.

    There had been indications the pilot may have survived the crash. "I was told [the pilot] was alive, but I can't confirm that," a South Carolina state trooper speaking on condition of anonymity told CNN."
     
  5. BMW.SauberF1Team

    BMW.SauberF1Team F1 World Champ

    Dec 4, 2004
    14,428
    FL
    A few people injured, 8 so far according to CNN. One of the guys they interviewed said the Blue Angels pilots don't wear g-suits. Is that true??? Something about it limiting movement of the pilot to fly the plane that way. I don't know...I can't see how that's the reason because regular military pilots can do the same maneuvers (at least I think they can...).
     
  6. bwassam

    bwassam Formula Junior

    Jan 3, 2005
    635
    North Bend, Oregon
    Full Name:
    Robert Wassam
    Blue Angel pilots do not wear g-suits. The problem is that when the suit inflates it causes the pilot to put a little jerk on the stick. Normally it's unnoticeable but when the planes are flying as close as the blues fly then it could be dangerous. I doubt that the lack of a g-suit caused the crash.

    Bob Wassam
     
  7. Mule

    Mule F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 25, 2003
    3,758
    Alaska
    Full Name:
    Mule
    The Blues "stick" has a much stiffer spring, so the pilot rests his fore arm on the inside of his thigh (like doing a barbell curl exercise). As said above, as the suit inflates, it pushes the fore arm, moving the stick, which is a no go at three feet seperation. Makes the high G turn even more impressive. The Thunderbirds' F-16s have the side mounted stick, so no issue (they do wear G suits).

    Best wishes to those affected in this tragedy.
     

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