Viper goes offroading at Oshkosh...

[MIKE JG]

Not been a good couple of years for jet aircraft at Oshkosh.

Not long after this Alabama ANG Viper went off the end of the runway today while landing downwind, another aircraft, a vintage FJ-4B also went off the very same end.

[Victory103]

That will ruin your day. Noticed the dirt out of the exhaust too.

[maddog65]

Yeah last year Aaron had a close call while he was taking pics

[Stewart Pearson]

Singing...................Sweeeeeeeeeeeet Home Alabama!

[LEBTowerGuy]

Anyone want to be a viper driver? Looks like a pilot slot just opened up in the ALANG.

[maddog65]

You know the Viper also has the nickname of Lawn Dart.

[LEBTowerGuy]

I thought that was the F-106?

[MIKE JG]

The good news is that no one was hurt.

The Viper was the second aircraft in a flight of two to land, the lead landed normally apparently. Word is that both aircraft that went off the end landed with a tailwind because of the operations that were ongoing at the airport at the time.

Might be time for a safety stand down at KOSH. Too many accidents in the last couple years.

[maddog65]

Other Nicknames for the F-16

[LEBTowerGuy]

@Les that was an interesting read, didn't know much of that history.

[MIKE JG]

Here's the video of the incident.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUei3kAc ... re=related

[CelticWarrior]

The second one is clearly going a lot faster than the first, looks like he chose to take the dirt rather than run into the back of No.1

Glad nobody was injured.

Didn't Prince Charles get grounded for doing something similar in a BAe 146 some years ago?

[Greg]

The second one is clearly going a lot faster than the first, looks like he chose to take the dirt rather than run into the back of No.1

Normally in such a case, the slow lane/fast lane principle applies. The first aircraft stays one on side of the runway when the speed is under control, the "slow lane", allowing the second aircraft to overtake on the "fast lane" in case he's got to take the cable.

Two things make no sense to me: the pilot doesn't eject even though he sees his aircraft diving nose-first into the dirt, and nobody seems to care about hydrazine. Isn't every accident with an F-16 considered as a potential hydrazine incident? We (Belgian Air Force) always create a perimeter around an F-16 until the fire crew can confirm there's no hydrazine in the air. The EPU may not have gone off but there's still a risk for a leak as a result of the accident. Still the pilot walks about and some of the guys on their tractors come take a closer look. That's plain stupid

[flyingscotsman39]

Slightly off topic - saw a Mig21, Romanian Air Force over run the short runaway (28) at Lossiemouth a few years back. Quick look at the undercarriage and it was towed off the grass and flying again that afternoon. They made 'em tough.

[Bone184]

Two things make no sense to me: the pilot doesn't eject even though he sees his aircraft diving nose-first into the dirt, and nobody seems to care about hydrazine. Isn't every accident with an F-16 considered as a potential hydrazine incident? We (Belgian Air Force) always create a perimeter around an F-16 until the fire crew can confirm there's no hydrazine in the air. The EPU may not have gone off but there's still a risk for a leak as a result of the accident. Still the pilot walks about and some of the guys on their tractors come take a closer look. That's plain stupid

I heard that there was brake issues with this F-16 but don't know how true that is. I was surprised to see that no one setup a perimeter....it's been sometime since I was where 16's were stationed but that use to be what we did....until someone could verify like you said.

[MIKE JG]

Yea the brake issue is that when you are going that fast, the brakes won't help you......

[CelticWarrior]

Yea the brake issue is that when you are going that fast, the brakes won't help you......

Down wind landings are always fraught with danger, even for us fling-wing jockeys. Never had an issue myself, but seen quite a few Pumas who had.

[Stewart Pearson]

Didn't Prince Charles get grounded for doing something similar in a BAe 146 some years ago?

Indeed, Jug Lugs managed to pile up his BAe 146 at Islay Airport in 1994.

Needless to say, nowt happened to him, but the RAF officer designated the aircraft captain got removed from instructor duties. Again it was a downwind landing.

[ahs06]

Sounds like they need Tony Kern to teach them some flight discipline at Oshkosh. If your in the aviation industry, you should look up his books. He set the doctrine for USFS fire bombers (among other things).

[MIKE JG]

Surprised he didn't eject. Latest rumor floating around is that this was the Wing Commander.....