loose objects in the cockpit
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From: southampton
loose objects in the cockpit
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From: The bar of the Frog and Peach
In a previous job, many years ago, we had to analyse data tapes from guided missile air carriage trials flights. One from a Sky Flash trial on a Phantom had the following comments on the voice track: "Pushing the stick forward now.........minus one g, and the air's full of fag ends!"
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From: Sverdlovsk
Reminds me of the Jag T-bird incident at Lossie some time ago (around 76), working up to the first display of the season - the T-bird ws being used, as the regular a/c was unserviceable.
The display was just coming to an end with the a/c half way through a roll - inverted - running up the runway centreline..., when it attempted two or three times to complete the roll...., but ended up in a sudden steep climb and the pilot ejecting - he sufered only minor injuries thankfully.
The display normally ended with a very fast run along the centreline, and a steep climb..., the ending we experienced was something else...!!! both the a/c and pilot landed inside the airfield boundary - by the time we got there the crash vehicle and ambulance had just arrived to whisk him off to sick quarters.
The BOI found that the likely cause of the incident was that the string used to secure the rear seat harness had come loose, and the rear harness had snagged the rear stick.
Appears that there were far fewer rear seat shrouds than there were T-birds.... , so standard eng practice was to use string!!!!!
Gengis
The display was just coming to an end with the a/c half way through a roll - inverted - running up the runway centreline..., when it attempted two or three times to complete the roll...., but ended up in a sudden steep climb and the pilot ejecting - he sufered only minor injuries thankfully.
The display normally ended with a very fast run along the centreline, and a steep climb..., the ending we experienced was something else...!!! both the a/c and pilot landed inside the airfield boundary - by the time we got there the crash vehicle and ambulance had just arrived to whisk him off to sick quarters.
The BOI found that the likely cause of the incident was that the string used to secure the rear seat harness had come loose, and the rear harness had snagged the rear stick.
Appears that there were far fewer rear seat shrouds than there were T-birds.... , so standard eng practice was to use string!!!!!
Gengis

Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Once a Squirrel Heaven (or hell!), Shropshire UK
Re the Jag accident:
IIRC it was a practice prior to the first ever Sqn Jag display, in front of the AOC or some other bigwig. There were only a few Jags available at Lossie, and up till then the practice had only been done in a single seater. Unfortunately only a two seat cab was available, but they hadn't got any shrouds, but with judicious use of a bit of string etc - what could go wrong?
It was quite spectacular watching from our side of the airfield, but much more so for the guys on 202/849 Sqn Hangar roof as it just missed them on the way to the field on the other side of the fence.
I also believe the authorisation was quite interesting.
IIRC it was a practice prior to the first ever Sqn Jag display, in front of the AOC or some other bigwig. There were only a few Jags available at Lossie, and up till then the practice had only been done in a single seater. Unfortunately only a two seat cab was available, but they hadn't got any shrouds, but with judicious use of a bit of string etc - what could go wrong?
It was quite spectacular watching from our side of the airfield, but much more so for the guys on 202/849 Sqn Hangar roof as it just missed them on the way to the field on the other side of the fence.
I also believe the authorisation was quite interesting.
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From: West Sussex
Back seat driver
A very similar thing happened to a Hawk a while ago - on arrival at a 'field ( forget which ) he threw in a few rapid rolls at low level - snag being when he decided he'd made enough of an impression the plane kept in the rapid roll...
Story was that the apron on the rear seat had been insecure, whatever it was caused a control restriction -
It was said the pilot pulled the handle while inverted, reasoning he'd be upright as he left - he was right !
No injuries to anyone as far as I know.
Story was that the apron on the rear seat had been insecure, whatever it was caused a control restriction -
It was said the pilot pulled the handle while inverted, reasoning he'd be upright as he left - he was right !
No injuries to anyone as far as I know.
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Sverdlovsk
Shackman
Thanks for your update. It was with some relief that after the a/c hit the ground we saw the red and white chute open and pilot float to earth..., we just headed straight for where we saw the chute fall. Glad that he was OK. Spent much of the week-end organizing FOD sweep and flag marking the many bits of perspex from the canopy that was spread across the airfield.
Shortly before this I had witnessed a Lightning hit the deck on finals at Leuchars - pilot also ejected safely..., unfortunately there were two civilian causalities who were hit by flying debris.
Gengis
Shortly before this I had witnessed a Lightning hit the deck on finals at Leuchars - pilot also ejected safely..., unfortunately there were two civilian causalities who were hit by flying debris.
Gengis





