View Full Version : Luckiest Pilot alive?
NutLoose
7th Dec 2020, 10:42
You wouldn't believe this was possible..
https://midwestflyer.com/?p=12278
Fareastdriver
7th Dec 2020, 11:44
Wasn't there a Vulcan pilot who ejected way below the seat parameters. As his parachute started deploying it got caught in some powers lines that fused the cords and the wires together and then the HT wires brought him to a halt.
He then swung down to the vertical and stepped out of his harness.
Captain Calamity
7th Dec 2020, 12:11
Wasn't there a Vulcan pilot who ejected way below the seat parameters. As his parachute started deploying it got caught in some powers lines that fused the cords and the wires together and then the HT wires brought him to a halt.
He then swung down to the vertical and stepped out of his harness.
Extract from the Board of Inquiry report relating to the crash of Vulcan XM604:
"The aircraft had rolled to port through at least 90 degrees but not more than 120 degrees, with a nose down angle of between 15 and 20 degrees when the Captain ejected from an approximate height of 300 feet by pulling the face blind. The blind partially covered the right side of his face because he only used his right hand to pull the face screen firing handle. Due to the attitude of the aircraft and the low height at the time of ejection the parachute had only streamed when the pilot passed through high tension cables close to the scene of the accident. The canopy caught one cable, pulled that cable onto the next one and caused an electrical short. This fused the nylon panels together which acted as a brake, and the pilot was lowered to the ground. As his feet touched he undid the quick release box and walked away."
bafanguy
7th Dec 2020, 13:05
Another lucky pilot story:
https://uss-la-ca135.org/60/1960Judkins-Knott.html
diginagain
7th Dec 2020, 13:40
Wasn't there a Vulcan pilot who ejected way below the seat parameters. As his parachute started deploying it got caught in some powers lines that fused the cords and the wires together and then the HT wires brought him to a halt.
He then swung down to the vertical and stepped out of his harness.
Peter Tait, went on to create CHIRP.
Chu Chu
7th Dec 2020, 14:12
230,000 kilovolt wires sound pretty scary . . .
I am reminded of a story from a book of lucky escapes relating the case of a P-51 pilot.
During a high speed dive one of the ailerons detached and the aircraft went into a high-G spiral where he blacked out. At some stage at low level the aircraft disintegrated and he was thrown clear sideways from the wreckage with part catching and pulling out the contents of his parachute pack which began to stream.
At this stage he passed through the top branches of some trees where the parachute turned his path just about fully horizontal before he then entered a corn field where he cut a gently descending groove across the field before coming to a halt with the remnants of the parachute stretched out behind him.
He reportedly awoke with no injuries.
Runaway Gun
7th Dec 2020, 20:09
The pilot who put the entire detachment imprest, all on Black, and won?
NutLoose
7th Dec 2020, 21:19
Did he share it out?
TheWestCoast
7th Dec 2020, 23:12
The summary here (https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/56199) about the U-2 incident is great -
LOC-I after pilot loss on conciousness at 14000ft.
Aircraft landed upright after clipping power cable.
Pilot regained conciousness and suffered an inadvertent ejection will climbing out of the cockpit and survived.
Airbubba
8th Dec 2020, 01:44
Earlier PPRuNe discussion of the catatonic U-2 pilot here: U2 down in Northern California - Page 2 - PPRuNe Forums (https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/584700-u2-down-northern-california-2.html#post9519785)
Clearedtoroll
8th Dec 2020, 07:57
I only recently heard about the lucky 1946 Northolt Dakota - almost looks faked (but isn’t)
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/aviation-air-crashes-circa-1940s-a-douglas-dakota-of-the-news-photo/79044077
Timelord
8th Dec 2020, 18:11
I cannot quote the details but there was a Red Arrows crash at Akrotiri a few years ago where each event in the damage sequence cancelled out the effect of the one before and the pilot survived against all the odds. Worth a read if anyone knows how to lay their hands on it.
Watched that incident from the ASP. Curly was so nose down that we all thought he would auger in, but his pull and the seat performance saved him.
Big Pistons Forever
8th Dec 2020, 18:41
I vaguely remember a story I read about an Italian (?) Military jet aerobatic team doing a show in very poor vis. One of the solo's saw a flash and the next millisecond second he is being blasted upwards in his ejection seat. His helmet had a slight groove which was later determined to be from the bottom of the tail skid of the other aircraft involved in the head on mid-air. The skid went through the canopy, creased his helmet and then pulled out the ejection handles at the top of the seat. The pilot reported he never saw the other aircraft and had the hit been a half inch lower it would have ended very badly for the him.
insty66
8th Dec 2020, 19:16
Not a pilot but right up there in the lucky stakes is Jack Worsford.
"The Tail of his Lancaster was severed from the main Fuselage in mid-air. With his Parachute still in the main Fuselage, his rear Turret fell from 5,000ft. Fortunately for him, the twin Lancaster Tail assembly saved his life, spinning to earth like a sycamore seed and after hitting overhead cables and trees he survived to spend the rest of the War in captivity."
From https://tailendcharlietedchurch.wordpress.com/tail-end-charlie-ted-church/rear-gunner-sentinel-of-the-skies/
treadigraph
8th Dec 2020, 20:06
I vaguely remember a story I read about an Italian (?) Military jet aerobatic team doing a show in very poor vis. One of the solo's saw a flash and the next millisecond second he is being blasted upwards in his ejection seat. His helmet had a slight groove which was later determined to be from the bottom of the tail skid of the other aircraft involved in the head on mid-air. The skid went through the canopy, creased his helmet and then pulled out the ejection handles at the top of the seat. The pilot reported he never saw the other aircraft and had the hit been a half inch lower it would have ended very badly for the him.
Sounds like the Patrouille de France Alpha Jets (https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/155885) that collided during opposition passes at Annemasse during a practice display. One pilot was ejected as described, the other landed safely at Geneva with a bent tailplane.
Bagheera S
8th Dec 2020, 21:01
In 1982 a Hawk at Bedford was undertaking wake turbulence research when it experienced an uncommanded and very low roll;- 20ft. The pilot went out just fractional within the seat survival envelope, while the observer decided to stay in. The aircraft landed upside down and slid 1200ft down the runway. As the structure deformed and was worn away, the observer head was progressively held against the runway. The wreck came to a holt just as the Asphalt was wearing through the fabric next to the chaps scalp.
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/55500
Tashengurt
8th Dec 2020, 22:03
In 1982 a Hawk at Bedford was undertaking wake turbulence research when it experienced an uncommanded and very low roll;- 20ft. The pilot went out just fractional within the seat survival envelope, while the observer decided to stay in. The aircraft landed upside down and slid 1200ft down the runway. As the structure deformed and was worn away, the observer head was progressively held against the runway. The wreck came to a holt just as the Asphalt was wearing through the fabric next to the chaps scalp.
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/55500
I seem to remember a helmet with such damage on a shelf in the human factors investigation section at RAFSAM Farnborough mid 90s?
Hydromet
9th Dec 2020, 00:46
In 1982 a Hawk at Bedford was undertaking wake turbulence research when it experienced an uncommanded and very low roll;- 20ft. The pilot went out just fractional within the seat survival envelope, while the observer decided to stay in. The aircraft landed upside down and slid 1200ft down the runway. As the structure deformed and was worn away, the observer head was progressively held against the runway. The wreck came to a holt just as the Asphalt was wearing through the fabric next to the chaps scalp.
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/55500
Was shown a motor cycle helmet in similar condition. The owner who showed me had come off in a race and was skidding along on his leathers & helmet. He was unhurt, but said that he knew what was happening, but couldn't get his head off the ground.
Fonsini
9th Dec 2020, 05:02
The Canberra ejection at 20 feet AGL and somewhere in the region of 90 degrees of bank sticks in my mind, the crewman actually landed on his feet.
http://www.ejectionsite.com/nochute.htm
The Canberra ejection at 20 feet AGL and somewhere in the region of 90 degrees of bank sticks in my mind, the crewman actually landed on his feet.
http://www.ejectionsite.com/nochute.htm
The crewman was the first AEO to eject from an RAF aircraft.
NutLoose
9th Dec 2020, 09:21
Hostie survived a 33,000 foot drop after the aircraft exploded.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38427411
spitfirek5054
9th Dec 2020, 13:23
Do not forget this guy:https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/blog/the-indestructible-alkemade/
I cannot quote the details but there was a Red Arrows crash at Akrotiri a few years ago where each event in the damage sequence cancelled out the effect of the one before and the pilot survived against all the odds. Worth a read if anyone knows how to lay their hands on it.
Would it be the following? The summary at following link. Aircraft accident involving Royal Air Force Hawk T1 XX251, 21st March 1984.
http://www.ukserials.com/pdflosses/maas_19840321_xx251.pdf
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=55493
I only recently heard about the lucky 1946 Northolt Dakota - almost looks faked (but isn’t)
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/aviation-air-crashes-circa-1940s-a-douglas-dakota-of-the-news-photo/79044077
I was told by a good friend who went from Silver City to BA through all the mergers and takeovers, that the pilots name was Johnson and that he was known thereafter as Rooftop Johnson.
BossEyed
9th Dec 2020, 19:02
Did he claim it wasn't his fault? After all, the householder had left the landing light on...
Wasn’t there a nav [observer, looker, talking tacan?] who banged out of a Sea Vixen just before it hit the ground with lots of bank applied, possibly landing at Yeovilton? Hit the ground still in the seat and just slid along whilst the seat did it bits and pieces as advertised, survived. Perhaps a Dark Blue contributor could confirm or deny?
Richard Dangle
10th Dec 2020, 18:58
Do not forget this guy:https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/blog/th...ible-alkemade/ (https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/blog/the-indestructible-alkemade/)
FS Alkemade's story is told as the opening condensed article in a Readers Digest commemorative edition titled "The Best of 21 Years" and published in the UK in 1960. I know this because I read it (and every other story in the book) when I was about 7 or 8 years old. It was the very first story to inspire my interest in the RAF and I remember it to this day. Not least because when my dad passed away, I found the book in his bookshelf...and I have it with me now.
As the article describes he was lucky thrice. To survive the fall, to escape hypothermia, and to avoid being shot as a spy!
Possibly a bit contentious, but I'd have to add the Shoreham Hunter guy to this list...no idea how he walked away from that.
Wasn’t there a nav [observer, looker, talking tacan?] who banged out of a Sea Vixen just before it hit the ground with lots of bank applied, possibly landing at Yeovilton? Hit the ground still in the seat and just slid along whilst the seat did it bits and pieces as advertised, survived. Perhaps a Dark Blue contributor could confirm or deny?
That sounds a lot like my Dad's accident on 16 Feb '68, according to the report he slid along the ground for about 140' parting company with the seat fairly early on.
Fortissimo
11th Dec 2020, 15:22
There was a USAF Aggressor pilot the late 70's/early 80's who had apparently survived hitting the deck in his F5 having got the nose buried doing ACT in Germany. The story (as I was told it) was he had bottomed out in a valley but hit the up-slope. The aircraft broke up around him, the engines passed either side and he woke up still strapped in his seat with a few cuts and bruises plus a broken ankle. He then became teetotal and a born-again Church-goer, and who could blame him.
diginagain
11th Dec 2020, 15:42
FS Alkemade's story is told as the opening condensed article in a Readers Digest commemorative edition titled "The Best of 21 Years" and published in the UK in 1960. I know this because I read it (and every other story in the book) when I was about 7 or 8 years old. It was the very first story to inspire my interest in the RAF and I remember it to this day. Not least because when my dad passed away, I found the book in his bookshelf...and I have it with me now.
As the article describes he was lucky thrice. To survive the fall, to escape hypothermia, and to avoid being shot as a spy!
More than thrice! https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/blog/the-indestructible-alkemade/
Tengah Type
11th Dec 2020, 20:54
Some time after Ken Topaz had had his miraculous escape from death, I was in the next bed to him in Ely Hospital for a few, days undergoing a minor operation to remove some metalwork from my foot. Fortunately one of my girlfriends was a sister at the hospital, and was able to supply copious quantities of " Scottish Wine " to keep us amused.
As I remember it, we spent most of our lucid hours devising pornographic crossword clues and chatting up the nurses.
IIRC, a 100 Squadron Canberra crew of 3 had a miraculous escape when the aircraft cartwheeled on the ground following an engine surge during a low overshoot.....
possel
12th Dec 2020, 16:01
In 1982 a Hawk at Bedford was undertaking wake turbulence research when it experienced an uncommanded and very low roll;- 20ft. The pilot went out just fractional within the seat survival envelope, while the observer decided to stay in. The aircraft landed upside down and slid 1200ft down the runway. As the structure deformed and was worn away, the observer head was progressively held against the runway. The wreck came to a holt just as the Asphalt was wearing through the fabric next to the chaps scalp.
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/55500
They were not "undertaking wake turbulence research", I think that was a new task afterwards as it had not been a recognised issue beforehand. The observer (a navigator, initials BM) did not "decide to stay in" - he had a large camera on his lap and so could not eject. In fact, however, he was effectively uninjured whilst the ejected pilot suffered serious injuries as I recall, as he went out sideways.
Haraka
12th Dec 2020, 16:15
"The observer (a navigator, initials BM) did not "decide to stay in"
Also this individual had previously lost an eye in a Canberra bird strike ,,,.
Haraka
13th Dec 2020, 05:43
I remember being told years ago about a supersonic ejection from a Mirage in Australia. The battered pilot landed by a road , along which came a bus which stopped and the occupants came over.
Doctors on their way to a medical convention,,,,,
Now whether you consider that is good luck or not is a moot point.!
waflyer
13th Dec 2020, 06:27
First time poster - Here's two 'luckiest pilot' stories that are too long to fully tell here, but look up 'Bill Parks - Lockheed Aircraft', and Bill Weaver - again, Lockheed Aircraft.
Parks and Weaver both have the shared distinction of having left a 'Blackbird' as it broke up around them while flying at design speed and altitude. Weaver was pitched out of his airplane as it broke totally apart; Parks either ejected from his or was also 'thrown out'. Both magically survived to fly again. (Sadly, in each of these Blackbird accidents, both back seaters were lost.)
In his Lockheed career, Bill Parks made a total of four 'nylon let-downs', and died in 1996 at the age of 70.
sandiego89
14th Dec 2020, 13:58
In his Lockheed career, Bill Parks made a total of four 'nylon let-downs', and died in 1996 at the age of 70.
I have wondered if Bill Parks has the highest number of actual emergency ejections with 4? (F-104, A-12, M-21 and Have Blue). I know there are several who made more test/trial ejections, but what about actual emergency ejections? I believe there are several USN F-8 Crusader pilots with three ejections. A few Germans crews in WWII? Soviet? Others with 3, 4 or more?
Green Flash
14th Dec 2020, 14:41
Didn't one of the Langworthy ('Bangworthy') brothers have at least 3 Martin Baker experiences?
I have wondered if Bill Parks has the highest number of actual emergency ejections with 4? In the early years it was a self limiting process - the rocket seats did progress back damage till the individual lost their seat qualification.
There are other factors - I did a tour with a USMC pilot who switched to become a controller after ejecting 3 times*. Back wasn't gone, but his poster said no there Squadron commander wanted someone with his luck....
flown-it
14th Dec 2020, 15:17
I was airborne in a gannet off of HMS Ark Royal (I think it was "Ark" I've not got access to my log books!!!!) on the Beira Straights patrol when we heard a Vixen had lost an engine and was loosing fuel. We vectored a Scimitar tanker to join but the asymmetric trust on the Viven made it impossible for a successful plug in. The vixen pilot (A.T.) called tanks dry descending to 10K to eject. The Lookers seat failed and so he (J.S.) tried a manual bale-out. He got half way out but it is surmised his seat pack caught on the top seat handle and he was stuck and became semi inert. A.T. tried rolling and bunting and I believe tried flying left handed to reach into the "coal-hole" and toss out the observers dangling legs. All to no avail and he eventually ran out of hydraulics. The Sea VIxen hit the water in a 90 degree bank and the Tanker pilot called that both had gone in. The rescue helo however found A.T. in the oggin with a damaged ankle and a scratch on his face from his visor. He had ejected as the Vixen rolled and his seat just bounced along the water (like a Flat stone thrown on a lake). Milliseconds either way and he would have been history but he lived and had a successful career as an MTP. (he was an engineer officer prior to becoming a pilot)
NutLoose
14th Dec 2020, 15:22
I have wondered if Bill Parks has the highest number of actual emergency ejections with 4? (F-104, A-12, M-21 and Have Blue). I know there are several who made more test/trial ejections, but what about actual emergency ejections? I believe there are several USN F-8 Crusader pilots with three ejections. A few Germans crews in WWII? Soviet? Others with 3, 4 or more?
None Emergency has to be Bernhard Lynch..
An intrepid employee, Bernard Lynch, attempted the first static ejection on 24th January 1945. He then conducted the first mid-flight test ejection on 24th July 1946. He ejected himself from the rear cockpit of a specially modified Meteor 3 at 320 mph, 8000 ft in the air. Bernard Lynch made a perfect landing and subsequently made a further 30 ejections.
And that was when you got a bang for your buck, none of this "gentle" acceleration up the rail with multiple charges.