WONZ 247 - Great Escapes 2: Pete Lindsay

[Dave Homewood]

The Wings Over New Zealand Show Episode 247 is now online. This episode is the second in a series called “Great Escapes”, covering stories of RNZAF ejections from aircraft that have saved lives in emergency situations.

In this episode Pete Lindsay tells the story of his incredible ejection from a BAC167 Strikemaster Mk. 88, NZ6367. He was on a cross-country exercise while training with No. 14 Squadron RNZAF on the 3rd of July 1985. While attempting to beat up the farmhouse of his wingman’s parents, he struck high tension power cables strung across a valley. The aircraft was put instantly into a spin from around 100 feet. Pete ejected a split second before the jet struck a hillside and exploded. This is one heck of a survival story.

Here is the show page link:
cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/2021/10/wonz-247-great-escapes-2-peter-lindsay/


Wreckage of No. 14 Squadron Strikemaster NZ6367, after a wire strike caused it to crash near Waiau, North Canterbury. Pilot Officer Peter Lindsay, ejected and survived. This was the first Strikemaster to be lost by the RNZAF. Air Force Museum of New Zealand photo Wg-G679-22-85

[shorty]

Here is the remains of his aircraft at Wigram (and it looks like a bit of the offending cable as well)
NZ 6367 by Neville Mines, on Flickr

NZ 6367a by Neville Mines, on Flickr

[Dave Homewood]

Wow, quite a mess! I'm still amazed by this story.

[skyhawkdon]

Another amazing interview Dave. Many details I wasn't aware of. I hope whoever wrote that business case for the MDC for the canopy got bought a good bottle of something!

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Don, I am very glad you enjoyed it. it's an amazing story. And yes I agree with that thought!

[Venomnut]

Another great one, Dave. What a fantastic story with such a close call! Very fortunate to have been in one of the few with the det cord mod otherwise the outcome would've been very different.

I'm looking forward to the upcoming episodes.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Jason! Yes, extremely fortunate.

[mcmaster]

Wow what a close shave. There must also be something very surreal about one minute hurtling along in your jet then next standing in a paddock. Given how low he was no time to think about the meaning of life as you float down under the chute.

[corsair67]

Wow, another excellent recounting of an RNZAF ejection - and very matter-of-fact too! :-)

I have always been fascinated by this particular incident; due partially to the tiny margin for safe egress that P.O. Lindsay had by the time he pulled the handle to eject from NZ6367, but also because of the successful outcome - with minimal injuries.

Great work, Dave - and another feather in your cap.