Recent T-38 Crash

[ATRCA]

I understand the names will be released 24 hrs post accident. Where do they release these names? Apparently one of the guys was a CAL new hire. I had a couple T-38 IP guys in my newhire class and was looking for names.

Anyone know.

 

[ATRCA]

Disregard.

 

[CAL to T-1A]

4/24/2008 - COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Two Columbus Air Force Base pilots died Wednesday when a Columbus AFB T-38C crashed on initial takeoff at approximately 12:30 p.m. on base.
Major Blair Faulkner, 43rd Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot, and 2nd Lt. Matthew Emmons, Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training class 08-14, were both fatally injured in the crash.
"This is a difficult time for the BLAZE team," remarked Col David Gerber, 14th Flying Training Wing Commander. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and squadrons of the pilots."
The last Columbus AFB aircraft related fatality was 24 years ago, on March 21, 1984. There have been six aircraft accidents since then, three of which involved T-38s.
An Air Force safety investigation board of officers has been convened to investigate the accident.
Additional details will be provided as they become available.

 

[SIG600]

Wow, rough year for the USAF. Prayers with the families.

 

[pkober]

The IP was also one of our pilots here at CAL. A sad day for his family, CAL and his unit.

My prayers to his and his student's family.

 

[AlbieF15]

I helped Blair a few years ago. My prayers go out to his family, his student's family, and the entire Columbus community.

 

[Tweetdrvr]

Blair was a great dude. I met him when he was a stud at Laughlin in 00-05, ran into him on a cross country at DM while he was in the A-10 school house, a few years after that, he took two of our students into the sim at NBG on a Sunday morning and showed them all the cool stuff the -10 could do. I was happy to hear he was hired at CBM and had the chance to get back to close to home. He was truly one of the best.

 

[Deuce130]

So sad - I read he has a two year old and an 8 month old. Same age as my kids. My heart goes out to them and his wife. My uncle died in a similar incident. Sad all around. My wife asked why I had tears in my eyes as I read the article, she read it and felt the same way. All I can say is be careful out there, don't take anything for granted.

 

[viperdriver]

Yes it was a very difficult UTA. He was a great guy and born again believer, and his family asked for donations to be given to a few local charities as his family was taken care of. I was in awe of their selfless attitude inspite of terrible circumstances. Say a prayer for them if you get the chance.

 

[RedDogC130]

anyone know what happend to cause it?

 

[LJDRVR]

anyone know what happend to cause it?

I'm not going to speculate and would hope everybody on here will refrain. I do have a question though:

Where is the USAF on their ejection seat upgrade? (ESUP) The contract was award in 95', but have any seats been installed yet? NASA has had the Martin-Baker US16LN seats in their T-38's for a quite a while now. Those seats should have been in there at the turn of the century.


My thoughts, prayers and condolences to both pilot's families.

 

[AlbieF15]

There are certain situations where no seat can save you. Midairs, high sink rates close to the ground, rapid rolling moments (which can twist chutes or force you to eject into dirt if close to terra firma...)

Again--not saying a better seat isnt' always a good thing, but any jet there are places in the envelope that just don't have an out...

 

[LJDRVR]

Thanks for the information, Albie.

The two recent accidents only bring attention to the fact that the USAF is aparently flying a fifty year-old seat three years after a contract to replace them was awarded.

I'm not insinuating that the newer seats would have resulted in a different outcome, I was only wondering what the current status with the contract was.

Just a curious HF nerd with a background in logistics, supply and procurement.

 

[tmac3333]

My understanding is the seat is on the way. I can't remember when, but maybe Block 7 or Block 8, which is later this FY or next FY. There was a big fight between the updated brakes and the new seat. I can't remember which is coming first. Hardware upgrades always take a while especially with 40 year old airplanes.