ex-mil jet down? Crew reported safe
 

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue are reporting the crash of an ex-military aircraft in East Devon. Crew reported to have ejected safely.

Three Strikemasters were operating from Exeter today.

I saw 3 go off from Exeter at around 15.00

There is nothing on BBC Devon......Any source for this?

Confirmation here.

DEVON & SOMERSET FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE NEWSDESK

Pilots did not eject.

Local News web-site

From "This is Devon"...

:confused:

It s not often you hear of a military jet crash landing in a field and both occupants getting out unharmed!

I hope either one is a PPRUNE member and will tell us about their amazing escape!

Well done!

I guess a JP/Strikemaster has a reasonably low stall speed giving them a good chance of a successful forced landing?

Also I understand ejecting from these early jets is not to be taken lightly with the rocket bang seats often causing back injuries, not to mention the consequences of the uncontrolled crash of the pilotless jet.

Well done to the crew and hope to hear more on the story...

No rockets on the chair I sat on in the JP! (the seats still caused a 'loss of stature' ... about 0.75"!) We were told NOT to stay with the steed in the case of a crash landing wheels up/ditching as the nose-wheel door would give way and the ensuing damage would crush our legs!

Glad that everyone got out OK :D

As a current JP Instructor, both with/without bang seats, my views...

Without Bang Seats you are commited to a forced landing, or a high level, awkward manual bailout, leaving the Jet to go where??? It is tough as old boots, and as this shows, good chance to walk away.

With Bang Seats you can eject at a lower level, so less problem where the aircraft goes, and covered better immediately after takeoff. However, I would not force land one, since the slightest fuselage disruption on landing could see the seat go off out of limits and kill you.

Essentially, need to be treated as 2 different aircraft in this area ;)

NoD

Strikemaster forced landing
 

Hello Nigelondraft,

I have to disagree with your comment.
I do not believe there is a hard and fast rule about forced landing v ejection.

Ejection was an option, but look at where the jet was put down and you will see numourous villages and dwellings in the close vicinity.

Leave it too late (below 500 feet) in this mk of seat and you gamble somewhat. (yes we know it's a zero-90)

The pilot made a call to protect those on the ground and was skillfull and current enough to do a great job.

Hats off!

I know I'd rather eject if the seats were live.

But regardless, it's great to see they guys came out okay. :ok:

yakhunter I beg to differ ;) From an AAIB report: and Of course, you may choose to disagree with the clear CAA and AAIB regulations / advice ;) On the day, I might also not comply with the above, but as an instructor, I must teach what is written down, and in fact, intend to comply with the above.

I do disagree with your I will follow the advice / teaching from my training, and if the engine quits at 120K / 200' after takeoff, I am "out of there" :ooh: I am unaware of any unsuccessful, but in limits, Mk4 ejections where 500' would have made the difference, nor any factor why 500' has any applicability?

Of course, in no way am I criticising the crew of this aircraft. They did what they had to do, it worked, and I have no idea of the factors that applied on the day.

NoD

.
 

Well, it's all good in the book,

But,

Being there and doing the right thing with the right outcome is what is important.

Thankfully, it all worked out!

To eject or not to eject
 

I don't think they would have had a choice - I'm sure it is CAA policy that ejection seats are disabled when military jets are sold to civilians.

Although it was a few years ago, the JP I was lucky enough to have a go in had live seats, and we were fully briefed on the use of them with the exception of the decision to eject was made by the commander of the aircraft (not me!) and then I just had to "follow through".

Great plane, I had a great day - it is sad that one should be lost yesterday but good that the crew survived.

anotherthing. Read the thread.

I'm sure that I was told ejection seats HAVE to be made live in the Strikemaster and JP Mk.5 in private ownership. The Mk.4 (and possibly the Mk.3) were optional, but that may have changed.

NigelOnDraft

While I do not disagree with the basic thrust of your argument about following regulations - especially in teaching - I don't see flying as a totally black and white exercise. The JP will fly very slowly and ejection is not without risks so to rule out an off airfield forced landing in that type by rote is I feel a little dodgy.

Don't you feel pilot experience, currency and field size could affect the price of fish?

JF

JF.... I'd agree, but my input was from the comment - all I was replying is that there is pretty strong advice from both the CAA and AAIB ;) I did add The hardest thing to do in teaching civil/PPL converts to the JP is when to use the seat. It cannot be considered optional IMHO - if you've got the things, they are there for a purpose, and it can require a very quick decision to use them. In the RAF the teaching went to the bottom handle alone for partly this reason.

Don't know about the Strikey... but JP3/4/5 the "standard" fit is live seats. It is an acceptable (formal) modifcation to disable them... CAP632 expands.

NoD