Lightning down.

[Marcus]

Hi all

Sad news from South Africa....

According to this report Dave did not make it. Man this is a very sad day ! Let's wait for the final confirmation.

Date: 14-NOV-2009
Time: 12:15
Type: English Electric Lightning
Operator: Thunder City
Registration: ZU-B??
C/n / msn:
Fatalities: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities: 0
Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location: Overberg Air Force Base, Bredasdorp, Western Cape - South Africa
Phase: Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature: Demo/Airshow/Display
Departure airport: FAOB (AFB Overberg)
Destination airport: FAOB (AFB Overberg)

Narrative:
During an air display at the annual Overberg Air Force Base fly-in, the Lightning apparently suffered hydraulic problems. While burning off fuel, it crashed in a ball of flame starting a veld fire 5km north of the field. At the time of writing there were conflicting reports regarding an ejection, but there were apparently three failed attempts to eject. It would appear from reports just in, that the pilot was not able to eject.

The air show was stopped and spectators were requested to switch off their cell phones.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Nov 14, 2009 3:42 PM | By Nashira Davids
An ex-military fighter jet has crashed killing the pilot at an air show in the Western Cape.

The English Electric Lightning aircraft exploded after crashing near the Overberg Air Force Base in Bredasdorp. The aircraft was operated by Thunder City in Cape Town, which offers thrill seekers trips in ex military jets.

Thunder City CEO Mike Beachy Head said the the pilot reported having hydraulic failure and was preparing to eject shortly before crashing.

One spectator who didn't want to be named said he watched as the aircraft spiraled towards the ground then disappear in the bushes. "A second or two later I saw a big black smoke mushroom," said the man.

Anzelle Smit, spokesman for Metro EMS in the Western Cape said after almost two hours of searching the pilot's body was found. "He was found outside of the plane not too far from the air force base," said Smit.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

This is a personal account from an eyewitness:

My condolences to the family, friends and colleagues off the deceased pilot.

Here is a report of what I experienced today.

I was busy making a video of the Lightings Sortie when it happened.

I had my Air Band Radio on by earpiece and heard he (the pilot) told the ATC he had a hydraulic problem. He said that he will go burn off some extra fuel and then passed the crowd line heading east. The ATC declared a emergency and some sort of net was put up at the end of the runway and fire trucks headed out too.

I saw him turning for his final approach at high altitude. I still listened in while my brother took over the camera. “Eject” “Eject” “Eject” (ATC or Pilot, I do not know) I heard over my radio as I saw the Lightning pitching its nose down and started to roll fast uncontrollably. I started to yell myself you must eject and pointed to where the jet was rolling almost vertically now. It went behind some trees in the distance with one big fireball and black smoke.

Me, my dad and brother stood in unbelief of what we just saw. Our beloved Lightning with its wonderful pilot going up in smoke. This is surely the biggest loss in South African Aviation History. We are very big Lightning fans since we first saw it fly some years back.

The video I made was by Canon A480 Digital Camera. After reviewing it now you can just make out the accident in the distance but it could be clearer when enhanced. Don’t have that software though. If there is someone in Somerset West that could help me enhance the video, we could maybe sent it to help the investigation.

Once again my sincerest condolences to Dave’s family & friends.

[baz62]

Thats sad news indeed. Sounds like he didn't get out then.

[Marcus]

Hi Bazz

Unfortunately the pilot did not survive, very tragic! Loss of a life and an awesome aircraft.

Marcus

[corsair67]

Very sad news indeed.

"He was found outside of the plane not too far from the air force base,"

He may have ejected, but was sadly outside the seat's safe operational envelope?

[flyjoe180]

Very sad to hear that news.

[oldnavy]

An absolute tragedy! Especially since the pilot knew he needed to get out...and couldn't. What a nightmare, and what a burden for his family and friends. My thoughts and condolences go out to them all.

[Marcus]

Hi all

The following from another list I subscribe to. Dave Stock was the pilot killed in the crash......



As a tribute to our great friend and fellow pilot Dave Stock allow me to post a brief summary of this amazing man's CV:

Dave was Deputy Head Boy at La Salle College at Roodeport where he was also Captain of the athletics team and played First 15 rugby. Dave was a model aircraft enthusiast and loved windsurfing and triathlons.

Dave's deep passion for aviation and aerospace lead him to joining the SAAF in 1984, gaining his wings in 1986. He completed the Impala OCU 1987, Cheetah OCU and Mirage F1AZ OCU in 1990. Dave was selected for the test pilot course and attended the National Test Pilot Course in the USA 1991/2 and Advanced Systems Testing Course at the International Test Pilot School at Cranfield, England in 1993.

Dave qualified as an Experimental Test Pilot (FAA, CAA), Aero Systems Flight Test Specialist (FAA,CAA) and a rated Test Pilot Class 1 and Test Pilot Instructor. Dave’s final position before leaving the SAAF was Senior Test Pilot (fixed wing) at TFDC Overberg.

After leaving the SAAF, Dave got his ALTP and flew for SA Express on the DH8 as P1, later joining South African Airways where he converted onto the Boeing 737 and 747 series whilst holding the position of Test Pilot Manager, SAA. Dave took leave of absence from SAA as a consultant test pilot with BAE Systems on the Hawk project, returning to fly the 747-400 converting from P2 to P1 on type.

Dave was Aviation Safety Officer at Thunder City, Executive Vice President of the National Test Pilot School SA and Director of Certification with the Certification and Qualification Company of SA. This impressive list is only a brief snapshot of this outstanding person.

Very deepest sympathy to Dave's nearest and dearest.

Fly the endless skies in peace Dave, we will miss you mate.

[Naki]

Picture describes it all really

[skyhawkdon]

Looks like he has a pretty good fire burning back there. Other photos on the net showing the last few seconds before impact seem to show one of the horizontal stabalisers has completely gone from the aircraft. Very sad that the seat didn't work.

Can the Lightning canopy be manually jettisoned or opened in flight? With the Skyhawk ejection system the canopy had to depart before the seat would fire. There was an interlock cable which pulled out a pin in the seat as the canopy departed allowing the seat to fire. If the canopy didn't go when the ejection seat handle was pulled then there was a separate emergency canopy jettision handle available to try and get rid of it. Failing that the pilot could also try and open the canopy and litterally rip it off to initiate the seat ejection or attempt a manual bailout by releasing the parachute from the seat.

[Marcus]

Hi all

Here is the prelim accident report on the loss of the Lightning: Makes for some fascinating reading.

www.caa.co.za/resource%20center/accidents%20&%20incid/reports/2009/ZU-BEX.pdf

Regards

Marcus

[skyhawkdon]

Some interesting possibilies there for both the fire and ejection system failure. The final report will make very interesting reading...

[lesterpk]

That it does, highlights many, many failures of management and the engineers themselves. The first 20 or pages are an eye opening litany of issues that should have seen them shut down before this happened. Some people should really be facing court over it, its that bad.

www.caa.co.za/resource%20center/accidents%20&%20incid/reports/2009/8706.pdf

8mb file.

[skyhawkdon]

Some valuable lessons there for others operating former military jets!

[baz62]

Yep pays to do things by the book as if you don't then this is what can happen. Sad that it cost the pilot his life but lets hope a lesson is learned.

[corsair67]

What an absolutely shocking report; there are really no words left to say.

Seems there was a pretty slack culture right through the whole organisation, including the pilot, and his decisions to operate the afterburner on the ground for nearly 30 seconds, and to also operate the aircraft without the brake chute.

[rhyno]

Flying POS....I think the static displays at MOTAT are more flyable reading that report!