[simpits-tech] Thunderbird #6 ejection

[John Miguez]

I have been out of town for a week and don't know if you guys discussed
this anymore?  I found this on an aviation news site and thought the
group would be interested.


Thunderbirds Accident Report Released

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. - Pilot error caused a U.S. Air Force
Thunderbirds F-16 aircraft to crash shortly after takeoff at an air
show
Sept. 14 at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.
The pilot ejected just before the aircraft impacted the ground.
According to the accident investigation board report released today,
the
pilot misinterpreted the altitude required to complete the "Split S"
maneuver. He made his calculation based on an incorrect mean-sea-level
altitude of the airfield. The pilot incorrectly climbed to 1,670 feet
above ground level instead of 2,500 feet before initiating the pull
down
to the Split S maneuver.
When he realized something was wrong, the pilot put maximum back stick
pressure and rolled slightly left to ensure the aircraft would impact
away from the crowd should he have to eject. He ejected when the
aircraft was 140 feet above ground -- just eight --tenths of a second
prior to impact. He sustained only minor injuries from the ejection.
There was no other damage to military or civilian property.
The aircraft, valued at about $20.4 million, was destroyed.
Also, the board determined other factors substantially contributed to
creating the opportunity for the error including the requirement for
demonstration pilots to convert mean sea level and above ground level
altitudes and performing a maneuver with a limited margin of error.



There is a great picture of the ejection at:

alt.binaries.pictures.aviation