Red arrows mid air collision

ringo747 · 23 Mar 2010 at 14:23

A Red Arrows pilot has been taken to hospital after a mid-air crash between two planes during a training exercise in Crete.

Apparently this wasn't during one of their display routines but was just general training. Hope they are all ok. Absolutely love the reds.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lincolnshire/8583263.stm

Cosimo · 23 Mar 2010 at 14:27

That sounds serious, I hope that nobody has been killed.

Iraklis F.C. · 23 Mar 2010 at 14:28

One is injured the other is safe , he landed safely

ringo747 · 23 Mar 2010 at 14:34

From other forums it sounds like the remains of the hawk landed back within the airport below so at least everyone on the ground should be ok too.

I really hope this doesn't affect the plans for a display this year. Always love seeing them at the airshows.

marc512 · 23 Mar 2010 at 14:46

Iv watched one of there shows before...i couldn't imaging crashing at those speeds and height. Glad they survived. Knowing them they wont give up practicing.

ringo747 · 23 Mar 2010 at 14:50

marc512 said:
Iv watched one of there shows before...i couldn't imaging crashing at those speeds and height. Glad they survived. Knowing them they wont give up practicing.

It wasn't during a display sequence though - if it was it could probably have been much worse. According to sources it was just general training.

Django x2 · 23 Mar 2010 at 14:52

1st collision in their history too as I understand it

ringo747 · 23 Mar 2010 at 14:54

Lucero said:
1st collision in their history too as I understand it

I'm maybe wrong but I don't think so. Think there have been numerous incidents in the past.

Edit: here you go

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Arrows#Red_Arrows_accidents_and_incidents

Aod · 23 Mar 2010 at 15:05

from the sound of it, they must have just clipped each other, otherwise the second pilot wouldn't have been able to land.

marc512 · 23 Mar 2010 at 15:07

ringo747 said:
It wasn't during a display sequence though - if it was it could probably have been much worse. According to sources it was just general training.

yeah but they would off practiced a lot of close runs to get it pitch perfect, then boom.

ringo747 · 23 Mar 2010 at 15:13

marc512 said:
yeah but they would off practiced a lot of close runs to get it pitch perfect, then boom.

Impossible to say what scenario was involved I guess. If a fault developed in the a/c when flying close it definitely could end up nasty. Time will tell.

Cosimo · 23 Mar 2010 at 15:33

Photos taken after the accident showed one Red Arrow's tail tip snapped off and damage to the back right of the plane.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Wo...fore_Plane_Crashes,_Second_Makes_Safe_Landing

Clum · 23 Mar 2010 at 15:41

Hope the injured pilot ends up OK. Will be suffering spinal injuries no doubt after ejecting. It's not always a get out of jail free card. Our old squadron leader in ATC ejected from a Hawk and lost two vertebra and 4 inches of his height in the process!