CF-18 jet crashes at Alberta airport

[Sowald]

Note by moderator: two topics merged, hence the 'double' posts. Presenting the photos the way they were is (officially) not allowed without specific approval - from the newspaper, in this case. In order not to follow many newspaper's bad examples only the sources are now given here.


LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — A CF-18 fighter jet crashed and burned Friday at an Alberta airport.


Witnesses said the pilot ejected from the plane and pulled his parachute before his aircraft crashed at the Lethbridge County Airport, where preparations were being made for an air show this weekend.


The pilot was brought to hospital, RCMP said, adding that the extent of the pilot's injuries was not immediately known.


An employee at the airport said the jet went down shortly after noon local time.


The area has been isolated by police and local fire crews as they continue to work at the scene, RCMP said, noting the public is not in danger as a result of the incident.


Both the Department of National Defence and Department of Transportation are investigating the crash.


Lethbridge is about 200 kilometres southeast of Calgary



CALGARY — A Canadian Air Force CF-18 fighter jet crashed at the Lethbridge Regional Airport Friday, as the facility was getting ready for the Alberta International Airshow.

Lethbridge RCMP said the pilot was taken to Chinook Regional Hospital with undetermined injuries after the crash occured around 12:20 p.m.

Witnesses say he pulled his parachute and ejected before the plane crashed.

RCMP and the local fire department have cordoned off the area.

The CF-18 Hornet in the crash was to take part in this weekend's two-day air show in Lethbridge, beginning Saturday. The twin-engine fighter jets are frequently involved in aerobatic demonstrations, and most recently provided aerial security over Vancouver during the Winter Games.

A military spokeswoman said the cause of the crash is under investigation. It's not immediately known whether the plane ran into trouble during mid-air manoeuvres, or on take-off or landing.

"I can confirm a CF-18 Hornet has crashed during practice for the Lethbridge air show," said Capt. Nicole Meszaros, a spokeswoman for 4 Wing, based at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta.

"The pilot, we are very thankful to say, is OK. We believe at this point that his injuries are not life-threatening."

Authorities have not released the pilot's name, but Meszaros said the pilot is attached to 3 Wing from CFB Bagotville in Quebec. The plane's crew is based in Cold Lake, Meszaros added.


Global Television contributed to this report



The CF-18 Hornet was to take part in this weekend's two-day Alberta International Air Show in Lethbridge, beginning Saturday.



© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald


Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/crash ... z0uXSW0MLA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[frank kramer]

Looking at the picture in the Calgary Herald, the Hornet (or rather, that what's left of it) has special tail markings. This, combined with the fact that the aircraft was rehearsing its demo for the Alberta Airshow, identifies the aircraft as solo display ship 188738. Fortunately, the pilot was able to eject and hopefully he's alright by now.

[Sowald]

http://www.globaltvbc.com/fighter+crash ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Confirmed as 188738.

[Sowald]

Photos: http://www.calgarysun.com/news/alberta/ ... 08091.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



The pilot in a CF-18 Hornet which crashed at the Lethbridge airport was taken to hospital with undetermined injuries after ejecting from the aircraft as it encountered troubles.

Military officials confirmed Capt. Brian Bews survived the crash of the Canadian Forces combat aircraft onto airport property about 12:22 p.m., RCMP Insp. Joe McGeough said.

The aircraft was in town for the Sun-sponsored 2010 Alberta International AirShow, which is to take place this weekend with a line-up boasting more than two dozen aircraft including the CF-18.

Capt. Holly Brown said the crash happened during a practice session where Bews was training for the airshow.

Witnesses said the aircraft was badly damaged after it crashed and burned.

“Obviously, he knew there was a problem and he successfully ejected from the aircraft and he survived,” Brown said.

“He’s alive and it’s very good news.”

She said pilots like Bews, who is stationed in Quebec, go through extremely rigourous training, and it is quite an honour when they are chosen for the post.

She said the cause of the crash is unknown and could not elaborate on the nature of the pilot’s injuries.

Department of National Defence and transportation department officials are investigating the crash.

Airshow officials say the twin-engine tactical aircraft is used for everything from fighter escort to suppression of enemy air defenses, reconnaissance, forward air control, close air support, and day and night strike missions.

The Saskatchewan-born Bews began his flying career in 1995 in Okotoks, went to Mount Royal College and enrolled in the Canadian Forces in 1999.

After studying at the NATO Flying Training in Moose Jaw, Sask. and receiving his wings on the BAE Hawk jet in 2003, he was selected to be a fighter pilot and went to 419 Tactical Fighter Squadron in Cold Lake, Ab.

By 2004, Bews realized his dream to fly the CF-18 Hornet and in 2008 was posted to 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron based in Bagotville, Que.

He has accumulated over 1,400 flying hours in the military, of which 1,200 of those are in the CF-18 Hornet.

His military biography states Bews enjoys riding motorbikes in his spare time and is a fan of all motorsports.

nadia.moharib@sunmedia.ca

[Sowald]

The following pictures have NOT been made by myself.
These came off The Globe and Mail newspaper website.
If this is in any violation please let me know and I will remove them.

Photos: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/nat ... le1649943/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Hurricane]

... that's one way to picture the lost of an F/A18 ...

how ever impressive capture of some details (and I can believe that the pilot must have been feared when landing by his chute, came quit near he flames, so bad of the plane; glad to notice the pilot is okay.

H.

[MainPower]

Nice captures indeed but anything know about the cause?

Cheers,
Matthijs

[dinovandoorn]

Wow spectecular pictures ! this was the 2010 demo of the Canadian Airforce...
On this website you can find some pictures of this beauty in better times >> http://www.hazersflightline.com/navy1.htm

[cHabu]

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World- ... ge_Airport" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


With more great pics...

[r.e.hendriks]

Holy sh!t!! Those are some really awesome shots!!

You don't see such shots very often.

Best regards, Rob.

[evhest]

Spectacular shots

Nice captures indeed but anything know about the cause?

Notice the difference in nozzle positions. The left nozzle is fully open, the right one is closed. So could be an engine/nozzle problem.

[P.Terlouw]

Notice the difference in nozzle positions. The left nozzle is fully open, the right one is closed. So could be an engine/nozzle problem

I agree with that. Seems the left one is still working and the right one is stalled. If this was during the slow pass/ high AOA then you get the same result as with the MiG-29 at LeBourget 1989.

edit: just found the video footage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV_VVXucdQc

[topgun1984]

well the first video appeared...

It happend when the aircraft was doing a high alpha pass. aircraft yawed to the right due to the lack of thrust on the right engine... even after giving full rudder...

this is what i conclude after watching this video
http://www.leaderpost.com/news/crashes+ ... story.html

Captain Brian "Boozer" Bews, the CF-18 Hornet demonstration pilot for the Canadian Forces, was performing a high alpha pass when the aircraft began to yaw right. At low speed, low altitude, he knew he didn't have many options so ejected. He has been transported to a local hospital. Credible ICAS members report he was conscious and did not have any injuries beyond lower back pain.

(credit: Deb Mitchell from ASB.TV)

[topgun1984]

well the first video appeared...

It happend when the aircraft was doing a high alpha pass. aircraft yawed to the right due to the lack of thrust on the right engine... even after giving full rudder...

this is what i conclude after watching this video
http://www.leaderpost.com/news/crashes+ ... story.html

Captain Brian "Boozer" Bews, the CF-18 Hornet demonstration pilot for the Canadian Forces, was performing a high alpha pass when the aircraft began to yaw right. At low speed, low altitude, he knew he didn't have many options so ejected. He has been transported to a local hospital. Credible ICAS members report he was conscious and did not have any injuries beyond lower back pain.

(credit: Deb Mitchell from ASB.TV)

[topgun1984]

well the first video appeared...

It happend when the aircraft was doing a high alpha pass. aircraft yawed to the right due to the lack of thrust on the right engine... even after giving full rudder...

this is what i conclude after watching this video
http://www.leaderpost.com/news/crashes+ ... story.html

Captain Brian "Boozer" Bews, the CF-18 Hornet demonstration pilot for the Canadian Forces, was performing a high alpha pass when the aircraft began to yaw right. At low speed, low altitude, he knew he didn't have many options so ejected. He has been transported to a local hospital. Credible ICAS members report he was conscious and did not have any injuries beyond lower back pain.

(credit: Deb Mitchell from ASB.TV)