CF-18 Crashes in Lethbridge, Alberta

[-Crossfire-]

A CF-18 crashed today during a practice demo for the Alberta Int'l Airshow.

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/fighter+crashes+burns+Alberta+airport/3315219/story.html?tab=PHOT

http://www.calgarysun.com/news/alberta/2010/07/23/14807001.html

The pilot, Capt. Brian Bews, ejected and was taken to hosptial with undetermined injuries.


I sure hope he's ok...

[Fozzer]

Video....>>>

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-10748900

Paul.

[expat]

Cracking set of pictures to be found Here

Matt

[Steve M]

Lucky pilot. The fireball almost got him. Those CF-18's are getting old, I hope they sign the contract for the new fighters.

[SaultFresh]

I think that video is going to help a lot in determining what happened. My thoughts are that he was entering slow flight (because that what it looks like to me), and it looks as if there was a lot of yaw that went unnoticed or uncontrolled, or just flat out couldn't be compensated for, and yeah, we know what happened from there, haha. Anyhow, that's what the video looks like to me, I'm not going to say it was mechanical failure, and I'm not going to say it was pilot error, all I'm saying is what I saw from the video.

[-Crossfire-]

I hate speculating, but I think the right engine failed.  Look at the right nozzle in the pictures right before it hits the ground, it's in the closed position.  The only way to get out of an engine failiure that low would be to dump the nose.  He probablly had full left rudder in, but it didn't do anything.  Remember in the high alpha pass, the engines are at a high power setting already to maintain altitude.

My 2 cents.... as long as he's ok, planes can be replaced.

[expat]

I think that video is going to help a lot in determining what happened. My thoughts are that he was entering slow flight (because that what it looks like to me), and it looks as if there was a lot of yaw that went unnoticed or uncontrolled, or just flat out couldn't be compensated for, and yeah, we know what happened from there, haha. Anyhow, that's what the video looks like to me, I'm not going to say it was mechanical failure, and I'm not going to say it was pilot error, all I'm saying is what I saw from the video.

If you take a look at the link that I posted, it is possible to see an interesting thing. It would appear that engine number 2 (RH), the nozzle is closed compared to engine number 1 which is open. This would indicate the engine is in idle. I though it could be down to the angle of the picture, but the nozzle does look a little more pointed (closed) than the other :-?

Matt

[SaultFresh]

Definitely agree. Airplanes can always be replaced. People cannot. And I merely wanted to speculate on the situation. I have no intention of putting blame on anyone or anything, that is definitely not my place to do.
As for the engine failure. That would definitely explain the huge amount of yaw that can be clearly seen in the picture, haha.

[RaptorF22]

I belive one witness said that he saw sparks coming from the engine. That would lead me to think that something got sucked into the engine during the high alpha pass, resulting in the loss of engine power and then the crash.
I'm just glad he is ok.