I watched a Bulldog spin-in into Southport beach, 1977 IIRC, and then another landed alongside and nosed over on the sand. I thought they were models and neither looked for nor saw 'chutes, but I believe the 'spinner' was abandoned by the crew.
Saw a Frecce Tricolori Fiat G91 stoof at Mildenhall in about 79 - RIP. The Frecce display continued afterwards. All very surreal.
I witnessed a Canberra B2 suffer v low altitude asymetric power at Stornoway in 1979 at which time the pilot chopped the throttles leveled the wings and started "Our father.....". The aircraft missed the ILS by about 15` and damage was limited to shock loading the undercarriage when it turned onto the taxiway after a journey across the grass.
I was one of the first post 747 crash at Lockerbie which was probably worse than watching it.
Last edited by Tiger_mate; 5th Dec 2012 at 14:07.