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Aviano-based F-16 lost over the Adriatic Sea
Posted: 28 Jan 2013, 20:46
by james84
Posted a few minutes ago on the news.
An AV-based F-16 has lost contact offshore Cervia (LIPC) and probably plunged into the Adriatic Sea. It seems the aircraft was in a formation and reported a problem, said Italian press agency ANSA. The last contact was at 8pm. SAR activities are in progress in a range of 10 miles from Cesenatico, close to Cervia.
Re: Aviano-based F-16 lost over the Adriatic Sea
Posted: 29 Jan 2013, 02:07
by Victory103
Hope 2013 doesn't start out like 12 did. Hope he got out.
Re: Aviano-based F-16 lost over the Adriatic Sea
Posted: 29 Jan 2013, 06:27
by andrea81
I live near Cervia air base and a friend of mine is a pilot of 15*stormo ( SAR wing ) based at Cervia! They haven't found the USAF pilot yet!! Just some fuel spots on the sea
Re: Aviano-based F-16 lost over the Adriatic Sea
Posted: 29 Jan 2013, 16:30
by james84
Just read on the news that the pilot flying the other aircraft could not see his fellow pilot going down. Also, USAF are fearing that the pilot experienced so serious and sudden a problem that he might not even have time to react and eject. Fingers crossed.
Re: Aviano-based F-16 lost over the Adriatic Sea
Posted: 29 Jan 2013, 16:37
by maverick69
Re: Aviano-based F-16 lost over the Adriatic Sea
Posted: 30 Jan 2013, 07:30
by james84
The missing pilot is Capt. Lucas Gruenther from California.
http://www.kcra.com/news/Twain-Harte-pi ... olute=true
Re: Aviano-based F-16 lost over the Adriatic Sea
Posted: 30 Jan 2013, 20:18
by james84
AV F-16 are taking part in the search using their targeting pods to scan the area. It looks like they found the chutem but no trace of the pilot
http://theaviationist.com/2013/01/30/av ... urce=pubv1
Re: Aviano-based F-16 lost over the Adriatic Sea
Posted: 31 Jan 2013, 11:38
by james84
The helmet has been found 15 miles offshore Cervia (article in Italian)
http://lastampa.it/2013/01/31/italia/cr ... agina.html
Re: Aviano-based F-16 lost over the Adriatic Sea
Posted: 31 Jan 2013, 15:37
by james84
Unfortunately the pilot didn't survive. His body has been recovered by the Italian navy 14 miles offshore Pesaro, some 60kms southeast of Cervia.
http://www.aviano.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123334566
RIP
Re: Aviano-based F-16 lost over the Adriatic Sea
Posted: 31 Jan 2013, 15:57
by mikewmac
RIP 
Re: Aviano-based F-16 lost over the Adriatic Sea
Posted: 31 Jan 2013, 17:34
by andrea81
RIP captain
Re: Aviano-based F-16 lost over the Adriatic Sea
Posted: 31 Jan 2013, 18:11
by Victory103
You always hope for the best on these, hoping some Italian fishing vessel picked him up and didn't have a radio kind of story. RIP
Re: Aviano-based F-16 lost over the Adriatic Sea
Posted: 01 Feb 2013, 12:15
by reconmercs
Really sad to hear
prayers to his family
Re: Aviano-based F-16 lost over the Adriatic Sea
Posted: 28 Apr 2013, 12:38
by james84
The daughter of Capt. Gruenther with her father's flight gear
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater
Re: Aviano-based F-16 lost over the Adriatic Sea
Posted: 29 Apr 2013, 01:56
by Victory103
Finally FB proving useful, very moving.