Red Arrows Pilot injured at Scampton

[John]

This is a bit of an odd one!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-15640104

Anyone know anymore?

Kind regards

John

[DaveG]

Now saying he's died

Bad year for the Reds.

My codolencies to friends & family.

[Chris Trott]

According to the Red's site, there was a "ground incident" in which the "pilot was ejected" from the aircraft. Reading between the lines- accidental ejection or malfunction of the ejection seat. Either way, the pilot wouldn't be ready to eject and may not have had everything properly set for it. Really sad accident.

[Garry Russell]

I reading arround the parachute failed to open after a ground ejection

[John]

Sadly the pilot has now died

john

[Hot_Charlie]

I reading arround the parachute failed to open after a ground ejection

Speaking on a technical note, not necessarily related to today's incident, and using my very basic knowledge of bang seats from a few years back... If a seat isn't "operated" as such, ie the mechanics of the seat aren't activated by pulling the handle (for instance an inadvertent firing of the seat rockets for whatever reason - of which I suppose there potentially are many), then there's every chance that'll happen, along with all the other "automatic" services of the seat, so potentially not activating MDC in the canopy, so it doesn't shatter etc.

What a horrible year for the Reds, and so soon after the memorial service for Jon Egging.

Nasty business.

RIP.

[DaveB]

One can take some comfort from the fact the pilot would not have known a great deal about what happened. I noted from the shots shown on the evening news that the rear of the canopy wasn't covered, as such, and looked intact. I've no first hand knowledge of how the bang seat system works on a Hawk.. if it's just the frangible bit in the middle or if the entire canopy blows too but if as HC says.. an inadvertant/accidental firing occurs and all components of what should be a controlled event are not in place, the chute not opening may not have had any real impact on what was already a damn poor situation.

This sort of thing highlights how dangerous flying fast jets is.. as if any highlight were necessary. Sincere condolences to all involved.

ATB
DaveB

[Chris Trott]

As with many British aircraft that use Martin Baker seats like the Hawk, the canopy plexiglass is actually shattered during the ejection sequence by Mono Det Chord (MDC) so the canopy being in place isn't much because whether shattered by the MDC or the seat and pilot going through it, the plexi would be the only thing gone.

[Dev One]

It'll be interesting to find out if he was solo in the aircraft, (quite possible as the rear canopy not shattered & the pictures on TV show the ejection gun expanded through the front canopy) or whether he was practising an emergency egress & subsequently tripped and operated the handle. Operating the harness release should not (in theory) operate the drogue gun ( although it did on the Harrier ejection when it flew on alone).
Anyone know if the rocket pack fired - it should have done after about 3' of movement?
Keith

[VC10]

Anyone know if the rocket pack fired - it should have done after about 3' of movement?
Keith

Looking at one of the pictures published there appears to be scorch marks on the fusalage side

Look at 5th picture down
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... mpton.html

Paul