Jazzy Jase Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 (edited) Does anyone know anything about this "accident"? Just seems a bit strange to me. F/A 18 Hornet pilot shoots down his wingman. Edited August 28, 2008 by Jazzy Jase Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upnorth Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 That's ancient footage of one of the Hornet prototypes. This was a weapon separation test that went wrong, or better to say, a chase plane that got too close. The test load was released and the Skyhawk got its wing clipped by it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fmk.6john Posted August 28, 2008 Share Posted August 28, 2008 When the munition was released the pylon remained atatched to it instead of the wing, the aerodynamic effect of the atatched pylon caused the munition to rotate and tumble upwards into the wing of the chase plane (who was also too close to the Hornet). The Skyhawk tried to recover and almost did but then fuel from the ruptured wing tanks ignighted and that was time for Martin Baker to do his thing. A quick google should bring up some more extensive footage. Regards, JB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romeo Alpha Yankee Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 I thought it was a pylon release test and the chase was in an appropriate position, it was that the pylon that did not act as expected when it separated and hit the chase aircraft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzy Jase Posted August 29, 2008 Author Share Posted August 29, 2008 Thanks guys. I did wonder why the Skyhawk pilot did not eject until his aircraft was a fireball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 You'll be pleased to know that the Skyhawk pilot(s) got out ok... it was a last minute thing though, as they had to wait for their opportunity. The full footage with over-the-top commentary is here: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousDFB1 Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 Does that bomb still have the mounting rail attached? The shot from the Hornet shows it having lots of 'bits' attached. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob M. Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 Good lesson on how not to do Flight Test. This is a standard clip (amongst many) we show new folk joining our department. It graphically demonstrates where not to put the camera chase during a stores seperation trial! Luckily the A-4 crew got out OK. Wouldn't have liked to have been in the Test Controllers shoes the day after though. Cheers, Rob M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 The full footage with over-the-top commentary is here: nice vid Mike - judging by the commentary, was it a clip from "When Bomb Dropping Trials Go Wrong - II"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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