CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

This forum has been developed to discuss aviation related topics.

Moderators: lilfssister, North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, I WAS Birddog

Apollo
Rank 7
Rank 7
Posts: 591
Joined: Thu Dec 15, 2005 2:42 pm
Location: Ontario

CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by Apollo »

Just turned on the news and heard :(
A Canadian forces CF-18 fighter jet has crashed at the Lethbridge County airport Friday afternoon.

CTV News has learned the jet was was flying at a low altitude before it crashed at the airport. The pilot ejected before the jet crashed, and appears to be OK.

There is no word at this point on whether anyone was injured on the ground. Emergency crews are now attending to the scene, and highways to the airport have been closed.

Lethbridge is preparing for the Alberta International Air Show, which begins Saturday.

The fighter jet has been used by the Canadian Forces since 1982.
http://edmonton.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local ... montonHome

Pilot is OK.
---------- ADS -----------
 
winds_in_flight_wtf
Rank 5
Rank 5
Posts: 372
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 7:35 pm

Re: CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by winds_in_flight_wtf »

How quickly did you open avcanada to post this?


Glad to hear the pilot is okay. Very interested to know the outcome... especially if it's engine related.
---------- ADS -----------
 
Apollo
Rank 7
Rank 7
Posts: 591
Joined: Thu Dec 15, 2005 2:42 pm
Location: Ontario

Re: CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by Apollo »

I was already lurking around - I just had to login...
---------- ADS -----------
 
Lowjack
Rank 4
Rank 4
Posts: 208
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2005 2:17 pm
Location: YYC

Re: CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by Lowjack »

A couple of pics:

Image

Image
---------- ADS -----------
 
winds_in_flight_wtf
Rank 5
Rank 5
Posts: 372
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 7:35 pm

Re: CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by winds_in_flight_wtf »

Are these pre-shows sometimes filmed with anything other than the HUD tape and spectators? Anything circulating yet?
---------- ADS -----------
 
snag
Rank 5
Rank 5
Posts: 327
Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2005 11:00 am

Re: CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by snag »

Hard to tell, but the tail looks a lot like the Navy Centennial Demo plane:
In 2010, the Canadian Navy celebrates its 100th anniversary. The centennial will be a momentous milestone both for the Canadian Navy and for Canada’s history. The naval centennial slogan “Commemorate, Celebrate, Commit” reflects the desire to honour the past, celebrate Canadian Navy achievements and recognize the Navy’s obligation to Canada. In tribute to the Canadian Navy, the Air Force will adopt the Canadian Navy Centennial as it’s theme for the 2010 Demonstration Hornet’s air show season. The demo jet’s tails have been especially painted to commemorate this important milestone.

The Jet

A versatile, world-class fighter aircraft, the supersonic CF-18 Hornet can engage both ground and aerial targets. Its twin engines generate enough thrust to lift 24 full-size pick-up trucks off the ground.

As the Canadian Air Force's frontline multi-role fighter, the CF-18 is used for air defence, air superiority, tactical support, training, aerobatic demonstration and aerospace testing and evaluation.

Canada's tactical fighter squadrons have served around the world, and under Canada's NORAD partnership with the United States, protect the skies of North America 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year.
The Design

Featuring classic Canadian Air Force and Navy motifs and a striking paint design, the CF-18 national demonstration jet will be dazzling audiences across North America during the 2010 air show season. The Navy Centennial theme, customized by Mr. Jim Belliveau of 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta, is featured on both tails, rendered in freehand airbrush and paint gun murals in subdued blues. The tri-colour Royal Canadian Navy Roundel from the 1950s is featured on the fuselage. As well, the main serial number on the nose, intake safety markings and false canopy on the underside were rendered in navy blue.

The tail art features a stylized anchor, Navy Maple Leaf, and wave graphics. One the left-side (port) tail, HMCS Winnipeg with a CH-124 Sea King helicopter is featured, and on the right-side (starboard) tail the HMCS Bonaventure with a Banshee Fighter jet. The art reflects the intimate and longstanding working relationship shared by the Navy and Air Force.
A Labour of Love

This work of art was applied at 3 Wing in Bagotville, Quebec by Cplc Alain Leduc and his team of air component and structure technicians. Serving as both designer and paint team member, Jim Belliveau participated in a nine-day whirlwind paint booth session to bring his thirty-second paint scheme to completion.

It took approximately 240 person hours to apply the specialty artwork and graphics for the Canadian Navy Centennial Hornet, specially designed to pay true tribute to an important Canadian milestone. Mr Belliveau designed the paint scheme to emphasize the Navy heritage, both its current commitments around the world and its rich history. In addition, both ships were selected by Belliveau to represent both the West and East coast Commands.
http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/v2/cf1 ... asp?id=912
---------- ADS -----------
 
AUGER9
Rank 6
Rank 6
Posts: 450
Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2005 9:28 pm
Location: YXL

Re: CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by AUGER9 »

Yes there is a video already, just watched it on Global News, i'm sure you can find it.
---------- ADS -----------
 
Last edited by AUGER9 on Fri Jul 23, 2010 2:34 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Lowjack
Rank 4
Rank 4
Posts: 208
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2005 2:17 pm
Location: YYC

Re: CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by Lowjack »

That would make sense if it is the Navy Centennial Plane, as the Corsair "Grey Ghost" is also scheduled to be at the show. I just saw it here in YYC this afternoon.
---------- ADS -----------
 
Skydrvr7
Rank 2
Rank 2
Posts: 95
Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2009 12:50 pm

Re: CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by Skydrvr7 »

Here is a link to some amateur video the actual crash. I was a little surprised that the spectators thought that the pilot ejecting and the fireball might be part of the show (the CF-18 was practicing for the airshow)...

http://www.globaltvbc.com/Amateur+Video ... story.html
---------- ADS -----------
 
rigpiggy
Rank 10
Rank 10
Posts: 2952
Joined: Sun Jan 16, 2005 7:17 pm
Location: west to east and west again

Re: CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by rigpiggy »

just looking at the video, I didn't see any indication of a bird strike ie: compressor stalls, flames out tailpipe, it sounded pretty windy what kind of convective turbulence was there, any chance of a microburst, failing that who knows.
---------- ADS -----------
 
winds_in_flight_wtf
Rank 5
Rank 5
Posts: 372
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 7:35 pm

Re: CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by winds_in_flight_wtf »

How the CF18 usually does a High Alpha http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyBjlToxlaQ

Calling all AUXBATON's!!!!!!!

http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/media.h ... ID=3315870
---------- ADS -----------
 
canuckcam
Rank 1
Rank 1
Posts: 32
Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2006 5:10 pm
Location: df steered

Re: CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by canuckcam »

---------- ADS -----------
 
ZBBYLW
Rank 7
Rank 7
Posts: 590
Joined: Sun Feb 24, 2008 11:28 am

Re: CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by ZBBYLW »

Hey I don't like to play the guessing game, but out of curiosity anyone know what the DA was in Lethbridge? I know Calgary is fairly high up, and being summer and all...
---------- ADS -----------
 
SAR_YQQ
Rank 7
Rank 7
Posts: 665
Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2007 6:03 pm
Location: CANADA

Re: CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by SAR_YQQ »

Hey guys - I think that you will find the most people who have an idea of what might have gone wrong - won't be posting on that subject. All I can say is that I am glad Brian got out of the aircraft - DFS will conduct the investigation and all release of information will be handled by them.
---------- ADS -----------
 
User avatar
Nark
Rank 10
Rank 10
Posts: 2967
Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2004 6:59 pm
Location: LA

Re: CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by Nark »

The density Alt could be thirty thousand feet. Don't think it really matters when you have excess thrust, in the case of the F-18, even single engine.

Did anybody else catch the back round person in the video saying "woo-hoo" when it crashed?
---------- ADS -----------
 
Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
Semper Fidelis
“De inimico non loquaris male, sed cogites"-
Do not wish death for your enemy, plan it.
User avatar
invertedattitude
Rank 10
Rank 10
Posts: 2353
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 1:12 pm

Re: CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by invertedattitude »

Two things.

1.) Listen to the music playing in the background "Staying Alive"

2.) Check some of the HD photos, left engine nozzle wide open, right engine nozzle, closed.
---------- ADS -----------
 
boeingboy
Rank (9)
Rank (9)
Posts: 1624
Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2004 2:57 pm
Location: West coast

Re: CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by boeingboy »

Errily similar to the Mig 29 crash in England years ago.
Even though you could not see any flame out the tailpipe - the pilot got out pretty quick....he knew there was a problem.

Now look at the pic from the Harlod: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/nat ... le1650255/
Anybody else notice the #2 engine exhaust is closed and the #1 is open. Is this indicative of the pilot closing the throttle to shut it down and he was just outside the envelope for a safe recovery to single engine speed??
Low, slow, and an engine out?
---------- ADS -----------
 
boeingboy
Rank (9)
Rank (9)
Posts: 1624
Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2004 2:57 pm
Location: West coast

Re: CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by boeingboy »

Also look at picture 3.

Flames from the #1 engine and none from the #2. Maybe due to the fact the #2 engine was failed and #1 was still turning - sucking the flames though it?
---------- ADS -----------
 
User avatar
Geko
Rank 3
Rank 3
Posts: 193
Joined: Wed May 20, 2009 4:03 pm

Re: CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by Geko »

Last second shot

Image
---------- ADS -----------
 
ScudRunner
Rank 11
Rank 11
Posts: 3239
Joined: Tue Jun 08, 2004 11:58 am

Re: CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by ScudRunner »

Glad he ejected safely.
rigpiggy wrote:just looking at the video, I didn't see any indication of a bird strike ie: compressor stalls, flames out tailpipe, it sounded pretty windy what kind of convective turbulence was there, any chance of a microburst, failing that who knows.
Lethbridge Windy?? there is a reason their WHL hockey team is called the Hurricanes.
---------- ADS -----------
 
iflyforpie
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 8133
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:25 pm
Location: Winterfell...

Re: CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by iflyforpie »

Excess thrust is nothing without control.

I guess I can speculate because nobody was killed :D but I would guess they could not maintain control of the aircraft due to its high drag and low speed condition and had insufficient altitude to recover.
---------- ADS -----------
 
Geez did I say that....? Or just think it....?
Ogee
Rank 7
Rank 7
Posts: 548
Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2007 6:19 pm

Re: CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by Ogee »

They say there is very little difference between the quick and the dead. I think that's a saying from the old gunfighter days, but this photo is sure as hell proof that it's true.<br /><br />Superb professionalism in the face of great danger. Well done.
They say there is very little difference between the quick and the dead. I think that's a saying from the old gunfighter days, but this photo is sure as hell proof that it's true.

Superb professionalism in the face of great danger. Well done.
3316301.bin.jpg (72.31 KiB) Viewed 4299 times
---------- ADS -----------
 
Hedley
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 10430
Joined: Thu May 27, 2004 6:40 am
Location: CYSH
Contact:

Re: CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by Hedley »

I'm glad to hear that the ejection seat worked as advertised, and the pilot got out ok.

Superb timing on the part of the pilot - I don't think he could have stayed with it much longer :shock:

I'm really glad he didn't end up in the fireball. That wouldn't be the first time that's happened.
---------- ADS -----------
 
linecrew
Rank (9)
Rank (9)
Posts: 1900
Joined: Fri Feb 20, 2004 6:53 am
Location: On final so get off the damn runway!

Re: CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by linecrew »

Geko wrote:Last second shot

Image

Yep, only the left nozzle is wide open...
---------- ADS -----------
 
North Shore
Rank Moderator
Rank Moderator
Posts: 5621
Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2004 3:47 pm
Location: Straight outta Dundarave...

Re: CF-18 Down in Lethbridge

Post by North Shore »

Nark wrote:The density Alt could be thirty thousand feet. Don't think it really matters when you have excess thrust, in the case of the F-18, even single engine.

Did anybody else catch the back round person in the video saying "woo-hoo" when it crashed?
"woo-hoo!" "Is that supposed to happen?" Morons, both of them. One wonders why people like that are allowed to walk around unsupervised in public?

GLad to see that the pilot got out safely! Although, judging from some of the other photos that I've seen, it looks as if he'll have a pretty sore neck for a few days.

AUXBAT, SAR_YQQ, I assume that there is a fairly specific drill for ejecting - does it mention ramming your head back against the headrest as hard as possible so that your chin doesn't meet your chest, or does that happen no matter what, simply because the G's involved are so great?

Hedley: IIRC, you own, or at least fly, an old East-bloc jet trainer. Do you still have an ejection seat, or is it disarmed? Whaddaya do in the event of an engine failure - ride it in like any other single-engine out there?
---------- ADS -----------
 
Say, what's that mountain goat doing up here in the mist?
Happiness is V1 at Thompson!
Ass, Licence, Job. In that order.
Post Reply

Return to “General Comments”