FA-18 crash in Va Beach

[GopherM]

Originally Posted by GWguy

That's why Pax River is called a 'test facility'. Every plane ever flown had major issues during the test phase. That's the only way to find, and weed out the problems. Once those issues get resolved, you have a stable aircraft. The F-14 was a wonderful aircraft, but we lost many to "offsite landings" during the initial testing due to everything from hydraulics and engine failure to pilot error.

Also, only two F-18s have ever been lost at Pax during testing and one of those was directly related to pilot error after a violation of a test plan.

I think early on pilots were concerned about the fly-by-wire system since no one had any experience with that new system.

[Dixie]

Originally Posted by Lurk

The Great Santini

I sat across from that guy in a waiting room at Beaufort Naval Hospital in Beaufort SC! Quite a character.

[PrepH4U]

Originally Posted by VoteJP

No, I am 56 years old and I witnessed the events myself.

Though I did learn a lot of other cool stuff while in jail, but that came years later.

=========================


I have no idea as to whatever you might mean by those terms.

Perhaps if you would explain your own meaning then there would be some communication.

May I suggest you look it up and determine yourself what those words mean. You are the one portraying yourself as an expert in the F-18, from your vast experience.

[twinoaks207 (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Dixie

I sat across from that guy in a waiting room at Beaufort Naval Hospital in Beaufort SC! Quite a character.

Which guy? That movie was the first thing that entered my mind when I heard about this crash today. We've seen it many times.

[GopherM]

Originally Posted by VoteJP

No, I am 56 years old and I witnessed the events myself.

Though I did learn a lot of other cool stuff while in jail, but that came years later.

=========================


I have no idea as to whatever you might mean by those terms.

Perhaps if you would explain your own meaning then there would be some communication.

I'm pretty sure that response alone explains your level of expertise and understanding of the test and evaluation process. Sounds more like you were a janitor at the hanger instead of someone involved in RDT&E. You might need to Google that as well so we don't spend the entire thread talking over your head.

Maybe you need to stay focused on "child support" issues and stay away from the big boy topics.

[GopherM]

The last news update I saw from the Norfolk TV station at around 6 PM was indicating that there were still no fatalities and only 7, what they were describing as, minor injuries as a result of the crash. Amazing. School is out here, but the aircraft impacted within about a block of a school and about a block from I-265, not to mention the several other apartments and high density shopping areas.

I don't know if it was the student in the front, the instructor in the back or just dumb luck, but the fact that the major result was limited to property loss with no loss of life is amazing.

[Bay_Kat (Premo)]

Originally Posted by GopherM

The last news update I saw from the Norfolk TV station at around 6 PM was indicating that there were still no fatalities and only 7, what they were describing as, minor injuries as a result of the crash. Amazing. School is out here, but the aircraft impacted within about a block of a school and about a block from I-265, not to mention the several other apartments and high density shopping areas.

I don't know if it was the student in the front, the instructor in the back or just dumb luck, but the fact that the major result was limited to property loss with no loss of life is amazing.

This was just updated.

Navy jet has 'catastrophic mechanical malfunction,' hits apartments in Virginia - CNN.com

[Dixie]

Originally Posted by twinoaks207

Which guy? That movie was the first thing that entered my mind when I heard about this crash today. We've seen it many times.

The Great Santini. The movie was based on the book written by Pat Conroy. The book was based on Pat Conroy's father; COL Donald Conroy, USMC, member of the Black Sheep Squadron and veteran of WW II and Vietnam.

I don't recall, but did he die flying a plane in the movie? In real life he was very much alive and either lived around or near Beaufort. I only saw him that one time, but the doctor I saw that day said he was there quite a bit.

From what I gather, the real great Santini was every bit as abusive to his children as the guy in the book but I guess father and son must have mended fences because I had a friend in Savannah that has a Pat Conroy book signed by father and son. Pat signed it Pat Conroy. His father signed it Donald Conroy - The Great Santini.

Have you ever read any of his stuff? The Water is Wide is based on Pat Conroy's life when he was a teacher in South Carolina and that island and the children really did exist. The Lords of Discipline was based on Conroy's life when he attended the Citadel. Prince of Tides dealt with his brother's real life schizophrenia (sp?) and eventual suicide.

I'm babbling - I just love his books!

[kom526]

Originally Posted by VoteJP

The F18 were tested here at Pax River NAS, and at that time I worked for the A4 maintenance,

[BOP]

Originally Posted by kom526

I saw that too.

Well, they did need janitors too.