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Please try to keep from using vulgarities and
profanity. I feel we can make our points
without using profanity. I have no problem
with calling the pilot a jerk, however
remember there can be children viewing this
thread so try to keep suitable for public.
July-7-2007
As far as I know is the first time this much
of the video has been made readily available
to the GP when I posted this on Youtube. ;)
More footage then I have seen on the net on
this subject. Mishap 24 June 1994, a B-52H of
the 325th Bomb Squadron, 92d Bomb Wing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_Fairchild_A
ir_Force_Base_B-52_crash
In this photograph you can see what is
apparently an ejection hatch.
http://img464.imageshack.us/img464/210/b52crs
h2cf5.jpg
This photograph was shot in mid-impact with
the ground.
http://img464.imageshack.us/img464/945/b52cra
sh3rj9.jpg
The photographs were shot in-between the time
frame that there was apparently a plasma ball
from the wing clipping power lines.
US air show standards are the highest, but
this was a case of systemic disregard for
safety. Since this crash, the bar has been
set higher more enforcement and awareness.
It bothers me to see some other counties
still have very poor safety at major air
shows. The former soviet block has had
several crashes that I would consider safety
neglect a factor, if not the cause.
Aerobatics should not be done over crowds.
Aerobatics should be kept in a safe margin
away from the crowd and to some extent the
flight line. I even frown on extremely low
passes over crowds.
Pilots and management/command should have
restraint from flying planes to extreme
limits at air shows. A margin / buffer zone
should be between the aerobatic area and the
crowd.
The B-52 was just practicing; if he had
crashed in a crowd at an air show the loss of
life would be high. The B-52 did some low
high speed passes over personnel area and
flight line; if there was a failure, he could
have possibly destroyed all the aircraft on
the flight line (and equipment, buildings) or
and killed a lot more personnel.
I love aircraft and air shows and the US. I
hate to see a bunch more rules, I would
prefer pilots and people in charge do there
best to keep things safe with knowledge,
reasonable action.
I think the US and many other countries have
learned from this accident to take air show
safety more rationally. However, a few air
shows like to try to out perform other air
shows with unsafe flashy showboat shows.
When you push the limits you tend to
exponentially increase the risks. If a pilot
makes a goof or if there is a failure, with
buffer zones the risk to the crowd can be
minimized.
---
On 24 June 1994, a B-52H of the 325th Bomb
Squadron, 92d Bomb Wing at Fairchild Air
Force Base (AFB), Wash., crashed while
preparing to land after practicing maneuvers
for an air show, killing all four crewmen.
The pilot in command had over a long period
of time demonstrated a disregard for Air
Force flying rules and regulations, and this
was known by the senior commanders in the
wing. No appropriate action had been taken to
discipline him or rein in his noncompliant
behavior.
More info at
http://s92270093.onlinehome.us/CRM-Devel/reso
urces/paper/darkblue/darkblue.htm
http://www.zoominfo.com/Search/PersonDetail.a
spx?PersonID=14464006
In my opinion, I would consider this pilot a
superb "stick and rudder" pilot. However
there is more to being a pilot and flight
then "stick and rudder", in my opinion he was
very poor in some aspects of safety.
It's like a football player that is in
excellent physical condition and physical
ability, but ignores strategy and team
effort. There is more to being a pilot than
one aspect, just as there is more to being an
athlete then a single aspect.
Other good videos long videos of the same
plane and pilot. Courtesy of jescates
http://youtube.com/watch?v=UJb08ZzejAA
http://youtube.com/watch?v=hWUgDLFokNw
Tags : Aerobatics B-52 Stratofortress Bomber Fairchild Air Force Base AFB USAF Mishap Crash Show Safety Bud Holland CRM |
