One of my friends was a 'Dustoff' helo pilot in Vietnam but he had to go through a commissioning program (Aviation Officer Candidate School) and Navy flight training to get his Wings of Gold. Similarly, Blue Angel Randy Clark flew Loaches in Vietnam before going through AOCS and Navy flight training. Randy already owned a Pitts when he started at Saufley so that was an advantage. ;)

Still, I think the transition from Naval Aviator to Air Force Pilot is unusual for folks on active duty even in these modern times.

Blue Angel Larry Packer went into the Air National Guard after leaving the Navy. They made him change his Navy callsign. It was Fudge. :eek:

Here is a partial list of the current requirements for U-2 pilot applicants:

U-2 Pilot Application > Beale Air Force Base > Display

I enjoyed this wise perspective from the FAQ:

Beale AFB California dual control U-2 news update soon?

It is now one month+ since this sad event took place.
A veteran Colonel aviator lost his life. The 'student' survived.

Is there any brief news as to what may have happened? Was the student on a first ride & wearing a pressure suit. Lady or man?

The brief amateur video attached to an early pprune post (#5) shows 2 'chutes very close together at perhaps 3,000' and a U-2 descending in a spin.

USAF reports that U-2 student on first flight in U-2 lost control due to a secondary stall. Wow.

News Article

Had no luck downloading accident report from here - it stalls - no pun intended:


https://www.scribd.com/document/3456...TU-2S#download

Here you are Spaz.......

Accident Investigation Report for Sept. 2016 crash of TU-2S
3 pages available for preview

United States Air Force Accident Investigation Board Report TU-2S Mishap With Fatality, Beale AFB, CA

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION TU-2S, T/N 80-001068 BEALE AFB, CA 20 SEPTEMBER 2016

On 20 September 2016 at 0908 local (L) time, a two-seat TU-2S crashed 18 nautical miles west of Beale Air Force Base (AFB), California (CA). Mishap Instructor Pilot (MIP) and Mishap Pilot (MP) egressed the Mishap Aircraft (MA) at approximately 8,500 feet mean sea level. MIP did not survive ejection, and MP sustained non-life threatening injuries. MA, tail number 80-001068, was assigned to the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, 9th Reconnaissance Wing (9 RW), Beale AFB, CA. MA impacted private property 5 miles northwest of Sutter, CA, resulting in a grass fire that burned most of a 262 acre pasture. MA was completely destroyed. There were no injuries on the ground.

The mishap occurred during the first of three Acceptance Flight (AF) mission profiles for the MP. AF missions are for the screening of prospective U-2 pilots. MA launched at 0855L, with MIP executing the takeoff and transferring aircraft control to the MP en route to the maneuver area, 15-20 nautical miles west of Beale AFB. On the recovery from a third no-flap “approach to stall” maneuver, MA entered a full aerodynamic secondary stall with the left wing sharply dropping 70-80 degrees and the nose falling 35-40 degrees below the horizon. It could not be determined what actions MIP took to recover MA. However, with MA rapidly approaching the minimum uncontrolled ejection altitude, MIP commanded ejection. Immediately after ejection and while still seated in the ejection seat, MIP and his seat impacted the last 5 feet of MA’s right wing, fatally wounding the MIP. MIP’s parachute automatically deployed, with MIP landing within a quarter mile of MP, just over one mile from the MA wreckage. MP received minor facial burns from MIP’s ejection seat rocket motor and injuries to his left ankle during the parachute landing.

Beale AFB first responders arrived at the crash site at 0959L. Local civilian first responders were already on scene fighting the grass fire. MIP and MP were located before 1000L by a 9 RW T-38/A and a civilian helicopter. MP was evacuated by civilian helicopter, arriving at a civilian hospital at 1228L. MIP was recovered and transported by the Sutter County Coroner.

The Accident Investigation Board President found by a preponderance of evidence that the cause of the mishap was the MP’s flight control inputs during the recovery phase of a no-flap “approach to stall” maneuver that led MA into an unintentional secondary stall and uncommanded sharp left wing drop, with 70-80 degrees of bank and the nose 35-40 degrees below the horizon. As MA approached the minimum uncontrolled ejection altitude, MIP commanded ejection. During the subsequent ejection, MIP and his seat struck the MA’s right wing, resulting in fatal injuries.

Absolutely awful. RIP sir.

I think I served with Larry's brother. I worked for two Naval Officers -- one a Captain, the other a Read Admiral -- who got their aviation careers started flying Hueys in Viet Nam in the Army.


As to the accident report: an IP's nightmare ...

I remember when first doing stall training, the urge to level the wings if one fell away when entering the stall. I don't think I would have liked to experience something as harsh as 70-80 degrees, especially with a U2's wingspan.

Salute!

Yeah, Saints, seems best thing to do besides relaxing back pressure or even pushing yoke/stick forward is RUDDER, not aileron.

This accident had a quick and severe roll angle and pitch break, and I would have to see the tapes to see what happened first. I am not sure any IP could have recovered other than Yeager or his clone. OTOH, considering the IP's back ground, he may not have been exposed to many departures, especially in the U-2.

I agree it was an IP's worst nightmare. And I throw a nickel on the grass.

Gums sends..

As a glider pilot / instructor I can sympathise. A key exercise for students is the secondary effect of rudder close to the stall...... on a glider / sailplane this will give little yaw but considerable roll.

Had never heard that before - you learn something everyday.

Thank you Tart,

I threw so many over the years that I ordered a roll of really old "buffalo" nickels from the U.S. mint.

I celebrate every day I see those F-35 Stubbies in the pattern here at Eglin. A whole new generation of young girls and guys that wish to go out and beyond. They are my grand children of those I helped to learn the bidness over 40 years ago.

It will be a sad day when the last fighter pilot has to report to the drone squadron in Nevada.

Gums sends...

P.S. and then there's Jeremiah Weed!!!

...there certainly is sir!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bqx2wIQtKo

...a shot of something in between lysol, alcohol and a touch of gasoline...

And probably not even he. Threw away a 104 after an accidental spin due writing a cheque he couldn't cash.

Dos Gringos

Simple full time civilian here but some links here prompted me to read up on flying the U2. goodness me what a dangerous occupation flying the U2 is and yet the loss rate from such an unstable and unforgiving aircraft ( thats a really scary phrase when you think about it) has been in regular use for decades . total respect for those who fly and maintain it.

Not many jobs where losing concentration (which must be tempting with the amazing views they get) for a moment sends you into an unrecoverable dive/spin/spiral. Extraordinary

U2 crews deserve a medal just for volunteering.


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