F111 in trouble
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From news.com.au
AN RAAF F-111 fighter jet is preparing for an emergency landing near Brisbane.
A Defence Force spokesman said today the plane's under-carriage was damaged during takeoff from the RAAF Amberley base, west of Brisbane.
He said the crew was dumping fuel over Moreton Bay "as a precautionary measure" prior to attempting to land.
The spokesman said the situation was an emergency.
"The aircraft is very airworthy," he said. "We have very highly trained emergency personnel to deal with situations like this".
The spokesman said it was not yet clear how the jet had lost one of its two nosewheels.
A Defence Force spokesman said today the plane's under-carriage was damaged during takeoff from the RAAF Amberley base, west of Brisbane.
He said the crew was dumping fuel over Moreton Bay "as a precautionary measure" prior to attempting to land.
The spokesman said the situation was an emergency.
"The aircraft is very airworthy," he said. "We have very highly trained emergency personnel to deal with situations like this".
The spokesman said it was not yet clear how the jet had lost one of its two nosewheels.
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F-111s do in fact, have two nose wheels, but the problem with this particular one is that it has only one main wheel, hence the emergency!
I understand the F-111 is going to attemp a very low fuel arrestor landing at the RAAF base.
Good luck guys!
Cheers, FD
I understand the F-111 is going to attemp a very low fuel arrestor landing at the RAAF base.
Good luck guys!
Cheers, FD
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ABC Web Site at 1502
F-111 lands safely after mid-air emergency
The pilot of a stricken F-111 jet has successfully made an emergency landing at Amberley Air Base, west of Brisbane, this afternoon.
The plane got into trouble around 11.30am AEST, developing landing gear difficulties.
It was unable to lower its undercarriage and circled the Amberley landing strip for about three hours to burn off fuel.
Around 2:00pm AEST the plane hit the runway at low speed, with flame and smoke issuing from behind the jet, before it quickly ground to a halt.
The two-member crew managed to land the aircraft on the second attempt.
Ambulance officers who were standing by have confirmed that the crew is unharmed.
The pilot of a stricken F-111 jet has successfully made an emergency landing at Amberley Air Base, west of Brisbane, this afternoon.
The plane got into trouble around 11.30am AEST, developing landing gear difficulties.
It was unable to lower its undercarriage and circled the Amberley landing strip for about three hours to burn off fuel.
Around 2:00pm AEST the plane hit the runway at low speed, with flame and smoke issuing from behind the jet, before it quickly ground to a halt.
The two-member crew managed to land the aircraft on the second attempt.
Ambulance officers who were standing by have confirmed that the crew is unharmed.
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Now THAT is what I call some seriously good flying.
Check out the news footage for those who want to see how it should be done.
Bloody well done guys.
TBT
Check out the news footage for those who want to see how it should be done.
Bloody well done guys.
TBT
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Looks like he missed the approach end arrestor wire, which in hindsight looks to be the ideal result. (Actually only looks that way... on closer inspection he actually did take the wire!)
Well done guys!
I reckon it would be Cat 5 though. It hit the runway with a fair old jolt.
Edit: I take that back, on seeing another video I can't see why it couldn't fly again!
This one is a better link... http://media.smh.com.au/?rid=20473&s...e=1022&flash=1
Well done guys!
I reckon it would be Cat 5 though. It hit the runway with a fair old jolt.
Edit: I take that back, on seeing another video I can't see why it couldn't fly again!
This one is a better link... http://media.smh.com.au/?rid=20473&s...e=1022&flash=1
Last edited by The_Cutest_of_Borg; 18th Jul 2006 at 09:41.
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Well done to the young fella
, he did take the wire (by the tv vision) but don't think it held. They were past the 1500ft marker before pulling up and lots of sparks and fumes from around the dump mast.
Tough ol beasts the Pig.
, he did take the wire (by the tv vision) but don't think it held. They were past the 1500ft marker before pulling up and lots of sparks and fumes from around the dump mast.Tough ol beasts the Pig.
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I hear he has only been 'rated'(dunno the pilot lingo term for it) 2 weeks. Very impressive. Awsome footage of a not so awsome event. Good on him. He should drink for free for evermore I think.
1. Best footage so far:
http://media.theaustralian.news.com.au/f111_player.htm
2. Nice to see the right seater help his mate out.
3. Beyond economic repair due to all that corrosive spray that ended up in the flight station.
4. Good effort. "case of beer for that one".
http://media.theaustralian.news.com.au/f111_player.htm
2. Nice to see the right seater help his mate out.
3. Beyond economic repair due to all that corrosive spray that ended up in the flight station.
4. Good effort. "case of beer for that one".
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Slight thread drift,
But does anyone know where that great vid clip of Pigs beating up beaches, dams, etc. would be on the net? I think it goes for about 3 mins or so.
Back to the topic... doubtless the airframe was older than the driver; they built 'em tough back then. Glad the crew got out under their own steam and will live to fly another day. As for the beers... I reckon they'd be shouting the Mess, but only after stopping off at the newsagent to get a scratchie!!
Interesting way to kick off a fast-jet career!!
But does anyone know where that great vid clip of Pigs beating up beaches, dams, etc. would be on the net? I think it goes for about 3 mins or so.
Back to the topic... doubtless the airframe was older than the driver; they built 'em tough back then. Glad the crew got out under their own steam and will live to fly another day. As for the beers... I reckon they'd be shouting the Mess, but only after stopping off at the newsagent to get a scratchie!!
Interesting way to kick off a fast-jet career!!
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Originally Posted by oldm8
Oh dear thats 1/4 of the servicable F-111 fleet gone!!
Sadly I am not exaggerating
Sadly I am not exaggerating
Magoo