Lightning Down

[maxim99]

Reports coming in of Lightning T5 crashed at Air Show at Bredasdorp near cape town 12.25 Saturday. Pilot reported problem not known if ejected

[Avi8tor]

Ouch...I hope the pilot/s are ok. Sadly never been in favour of a supersonic jet being in the same ZU cat as a Tigermoth

[ab33t]

Hope everyone is ok . anymore news?

[Phenom100]

Pilot did not make it. R.i.P

[Selfloader]

Apparently tried three times to eject. TimesLive website is reporting that a body has been recovered.RIP

[Selfloader]

This confirmation from the Timeslive website:
The English Electric Lightning aircraft exploded after crashing near the Overberg Air Force Base in Bredasdorp. The aircraft was operated by Thunder City in Cape Town, which offers thrill seekers trips in ex military jets.
Thunder City CEO Mike Beachy Head said the the pilot reported having hydraulic failure and was preparing to eject shortly before crashing.
One spectator who didn't want to be named said he watched as the aircraft spiraled towards the ground then disappear in the bushes. "A second or two later I saw a big black smoke mushroom," said the man.
Anzelle Smit, spokesman for Metro EMS in the Western Cape said after almost two hours of searching the pilot's body was found. "He was found outside of the plane not too far from the air force base," said Smit.

[TheOptimist]

Urgh. I can't imagine the feeling of pressing pulling the ejector cord and nothing happening.

At the very very very least we can be glad there wasn't a passenger in it.

[gravity enemy]

Very very sad! RIP

[boyracer]

More info on news24.com ... very sad indeed R.I.P

[charlie7charlie]

Pilot was Dave Stock, knew him. Tall guy, looked just like a fighter jock. ...very sad.

[REAL ORCA]

Pilot was Dave Stock, knew him. Tall guy, looked just like a fighter jock. ...very sad.

...he was a fighter jock and test pilot! Sad, sad news!
RIP Dave!:(

[Pontius' Pilot]

RIP my friend.

[captplaystation]

Avi8tor,

I know where you are coming from, however they seem to have had a good record operating the beasts prior to this, and accidents were not unheard of in the heyday of the type's RAF service.
I wanted to have a jolly there for my 50th Birthday but my finances took a downward turn.
Hope they (and I ) are maybe able for 60th in 2018 (if there is any oil left/affordable by then)
Bit of a bugger if the guy really tried to eject, BTW where did the info come that he tried to eject 3 times, doubt he was having detailed discussions on the R/T.

[bianchi]

Worked with Dave on 400's , very , very sad ! RIP Fellow aviator !

[27Foxtrot]

Actually yes he was.

He described his actions, even the seat malfunction when he tried the first time.

The jet fell out of the air very quickly after his first attempt. He didn't narate any other attempts after the first one. I do believe he was a little busy.

He moved the plane away from the crowd and into a safe place to leave it. It was ultimately this that killed him.

I don't know how possible it is to manually jump from a T5, but he flew it as far as he could before he said the plane was unresponsive. THAT was when he tried to eject the first time. And it didn't work. There wasn't really time for anything else after that.

But he was extreamly brave and ultimately self sacrificing to do what he did.

27F

[brit bus driver]

Sad news.

Happened across Mike and some of the chaps - sorry, I do not recall the other guys - at Asmara in Eritrea a few years back. They were ferrying a couple of Hunters back from the UK and had diverted in with a fuel leak. Quite entertaining to hear the baffled tower controller trying to work out what QFE was....especially given the elevation of 6500' or so (IIRC). Happy to provide them with soda and sandwiches in the air-conditioned comfort of the 310 during their short stop.

Still promising myself a trip down there one day. RIP Sir - I did not know you, but know that you must have been a consumate professional and damn fine aviator.

[Phenom100]

Richard Branson's co-pilot dies after jet ejector seat fails during air show | Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1228084/Richard-Bransons-pilot-dies-jet-ejector-seat-fails-air-show.html?ITO=1490&referrer=yahoo)

[springbok449]

Very sad news.
R.I.P Dave, condoleances to your family.

Bokkie

[Snapshot]

Gentlemen and perhaps ladies,

Taking a breather from the tragedy and speculation

It is public knowledge now that on Sunday at Dave's house,
there shall be a celebration of his life! (and what a life)
This I am told shall be from 1500-2300

I am aware that many live far from Hermanus and might like to attend?
This being almost holiday season, getting a place to stay might
be difficult?

His home is just a couple of minutes drive from mine in Hermanus
so, if anyone would like to stow their kit, go to his home, meet
and pay tribute etc. stay over at mine on Sunday night etc.
Then anyone is welcome! If it eases a bit of stress on what shall
be a difficult enough day then I am glad if I can help a bit!

I have limited beds but plenty of floor space, sofa, sleeper couch
and the usual! I can take about 10 but can adjust a bit
should the situation require just that?
Sleeping bags would be useful!

I would ask if you would like to do this, then please PM me
and also would prefer no one here before 1200 on Sunday!
From there you can shower, change, relax a bit etc. before
going to the house for 1500

I am going to post this on other boards so please take note
this is a first come first serve type offer! If I had a 400 room
hotel, then I assure you, it would be open to everyone!

Fly safe and I trust Sunday is truly a fitting tribute
to Dave Stock!

Regards
Andrew Brooks
'Snapshot'

[Evanelpus]

Snapshot

That is a wonderful gesture, I hope many take you up on your kind offer and make Dave's celebration of life something his nearest and dearest will remember forever.

RIP Dave

[non iron]

Shocking news. Condolences to all concerned.

l hope, forgive me, that the operation continues for what it was intended, a celebration of truly fast jets.

R.I.P.

[barit1]

Deferred seat maintenance (http://i-love-to-fly.net/site/2009/12/24/air-show-ace-killed-because-servicing-was-delayed-investigation/) cited as cause of ejection failure