French Rafale M down in the Mediterranean

james84 · Post by **james84** » 03 Jul 2012, 16:21

Report in French
http://www.air-cosmos.com/defense/un-ra ... ranee.html

The aircraft was having some dogfight with a USN Hornet and was equipped with a centerline tank plus a Mica-IR drill missile off the cost of Ibiza.
The article speaks about "loss of control" and says that the aircraft could have found itself in the wake turbulence of the Hornet for a short while, and the hypothesis of a malfunction has been discarded.
The wreck has been localized and the pilot ejected safely.
This is the 4th loss of a Rafale for the French Navy.

MIKE JG · Post by **MIKE JG** » 03 Jul 2012, 17:45

"We just flew through his jetwash Mav........"

james84 · Post by **james84** » 03 Jul 2012, 17:56

MIKE JG wrote:"We just flew through his jetwash Mav........"

Right, the jetwash... one never stops learning!

Victory103 · Post by **Victory103** » 03 Jul 2012, 20:33

Glad he got out.

Victory103 · Post by **Victory103** » 03 Jul 2012, 23:40

Very cool I just found out a buddy of mine was on the crew of the USN H-60 that fished the French pilot out, they flew him back to his boat.

French Rafale M down in the Mediterranean

French Rafale M down in the Mediterranean

Re: French Rafale M down in the Mediterranean

Re: French Rafale M down in the Mediterranean

Re: French Rafale M down in the Mediterranean

Re: French Rafale M down in the Mediterranean