Snowbird Crash

Pam,

We are in mourning. How are folks in Moose Jaw coping with this?

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2004/12/10/snowbird-crash041210.html

How tragic!

So,so sad.

The city and especially the base are in mourning (as would the rest of the country). Haven't heard too much yet, at first they wouldn't tell us if it was a trainer or one of the Snowbirds.

My condolences to that young man's family and his fellow team members.

This message was edited Dec 10, 2004 5:00 PM

Yes, indeed. God Rest His Soul, and Give Peace To His Family.

Like hearing the bagpipes at a Scotsman's funeral ... one of the saddest sights to be seen is the one plane breaking away from the rest.

edited to say it's called the "Missing Man Formation."



This message was edited Dec 17, 2004 8:52 AM

Oh, what a shame. I hadn't heard about it.

So sorry to hear of this. He was such a beautiful young man. It is often the hardest to lose our best and brightest. I lost my second husband to an aircraft accident, though he was a civilian flying a checkride with the Civil Air Patrol at the time. I took consolation in knowing he was doing something he loved at the time, and it all happened quickly. Condolences to all my Canadian friends for the loss of this young pilot.

I just heard about this on the CBC. I have been a fan of the Snowbirds for many years. How sad for all, especially his family and team mates.

HIGH FLIGHT

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings
Sunward I have climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence, Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air,
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew.
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

by John Gillespie Magee Jr.


I can only hope that the pilot died doing what he loved.




This message was edited Dec 10, 2004 4:55 PM

What a beautiful poem, Linda. Thanks for sharing. You and Weezi are right, all must take consolation in the thought that he died doing waht he loved, and that the end was probably painless. He's now in God's loving arms.

I used to fly frequently with Mike, though his flying was much different than the type this young man loved. We would fly over snow peaked mountains and swoop down into green, uninhabited valleys... it was so lovely. I miss flying.

I can tell you that pilots all know at all times that this flight might be their last. When we flew, Mike would always be watching for other planes, for obstructions... and for safe spots to put the plane down should there be an engine failure. He never flew close to other planes, but for these young men, that is their job... to fly at each other's wing in formation. It is a daredevil life style that surely must be thrilling while it lasts, whether they retire or fall to earth.

I agree. My first cousin was a RCMP jet pilot. He often spoke of his training and what they would put them through in flight simulation tests. One little mistake in simulation pointed out exactly what would have happened to them if it had been a *real* flight.

The formation pilots take incredible risks.

I guess it all depends on what one calls 'living'. I would imagine these young men would be crushed if they could no longer fly like eagles. They might not consider being earthbound as truly 'living'. It must be so worrisome to have a child who follows this path.

When I was working in the arctic, I knew many pilots. In my 3 years up there, we only lost one plane, with 2 pilots. Such tragedy, such young men. Even 'routine' flights would turn into emergencies some times. I used to fly 3-4 times a week, so we had more than our share of close calls. I have heard that poem at every funeral for a pilot that I have attended. I love flying, and wish I knew how, but am content now to be a passenger.

Yes, the weather in our northern regions can change so quickly, and the mountains create strange air pockets, and there is always icing to consider. So much of our transportation here in Alaska is limited to flying or the sea. There isn't even a road into our state capitol. Accidents are bound to happen, I suppose, and one has to consider the number of times one lands without incident. Bush pilots live a different sort of dare devil life.

I can tell you for sure that any pilot would rather die in flight than on the ground. I still miss my wings and take any chance i can to hop a ride in anything exciting. Have always loved the snowbirds and the golden hawks before them.

I really fear what this might do to the Snowbird program as well.

They fly on a wing and a prayer.............literally! E so young he was!

Don't like to sound negative here, but isn't it time for the Canadian Government to replace those 40 year old planes?

That's why I'm worrying....there's been talk of shutting it down so many times already.

Flags in town are at half mast today.

I had no idea the planes were that old! Of course, accidents can happen with newer planes, as well. We've had accidents here in the US, as well, and it is particularly alarming when jets fall to earth on a crowd of spectators. One does have to wonder if it is worth it, but that's the opinion of a woman and mother, not a young man filled with darey-do or an old man recalling it.

Here's a bit of history about them Carol....

INDEPTH: SNOWBIRDS
Canada’s aerobatic flying team
CBC News Online | December 10, 2004



They are a familiar sight on Canada Day and a thrilling spectacle at air shows. But the Snowbirds, Canada's aerobatic flying team, have an uncertain future. The Snowbirds are faced with obsolete aircraft and a shrinking defence budget, not to mention persistent rumours that the entire squadron may be scrapped.

The history of the demonstration flying team begins in 1967. Several Royal Canadian Air Force training jets – CT-144 Tutors, the same model today's Snowbirds use – were repainted and became the aircraft for the Golden Centennaires, who performed at ceremonies commemorating Canada's centennial year. The Centennaires disbanded after the 1967 season.

The commanding officer of the Centainnaires, Col. O.B. Philp, established an unofficial formation flying team at CFB Moose Jaw in 1971. They were named the Snowbirds through a contest held at the base's elementary school and first flew under that name in July 1971.

In 1974, the Snowbirds were cleared to perform aerobatic displays and adopted their familiar red, white and blue colour scheme. In 1975, they became a separate unit, but were still not a permanent part of the Armed Forces. The following year, with their popularity soaring, the Snowbirds performed at bicentennial celebrations in the United States and at the Montreal Olympics.



In 1977, the Snowbirds became a permanent unit and were designated the 431 (Air Demonstration) Squadron the following year.

The Snowbirds are often praised as a source of pride for Canadians and as ambassadors for the Canadian Forces. But the future of the squadron is by no means certain.

The Canadian Forces stopped using the Tutor jets for training purposes in 2000. The Snowbird squadron had to be expanded for the 2001 season to include a dedicated maintenance crew for the Tutors. But the Canadian Forces, with its aging fighter aircraft and helicopters, is faced with a 20 per cent cut to its budget. It says it's focusing on "core combat capabilities," and the Snowbirds are one of the squadrons facing elimination.

But the idea of disbanding the Snowbirds is so unpopular that, in 1999, a general designated to talk about the issue asked that his name and picture not be used in the media. At the time, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien said that the Canadian Forces only announced that the popular Snowbirds would be cut because it knew there would be a public outcry.

Even if the Snowbirds survive the budget cuts, they'll still be flying obsolete aircraft for the next several years. In December 2002, Col. Dave Burt, the officer in charge of buying new aircraft for the Canadian Forces, said he's in no hurry to replace the Tutors and said they'll be able to fly safely until 2020.

Aviation author and former Snowbird pilot Dan Dempsey said there's no point in having an air demonstration squad that performs in aircraft that only they use.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Snowbird accidents



On Dec. 10, 2004, two Snowbirds jets crashed in mid-air during a practice near Mossbank, Sask. One pilot, Capt. Miles Selby, 31, was killed, and the other, Capt. Chuck Mallett, sustained minor injuries.

Other accidents:

June 21, 2001: Two jets flying in a nine-jet formation collide over Lake Erie, sending one of the jets into the water. The pilot, Maj. Robert Painchaud, ejects from his aircraft and lands in Lake Erie without injury.

September 2000: On Labour Day weekend, two of the Snowbirds' Tutor jets sustain minor damage when the wing of one craft grazes the tail of another as they are on the way to the Canadian International Air Show in Toronto. The pilots are not injured and both planes land safely.

Dec. 10, 1998: Capt. Michael VandenBos, 29, dies following a mid-air collision with another Snowbird aircraft during a training flight near Moose Jaw, Sask.

1997: Two Snowbirds touch wingtips in mid-air in Glen Falls, N.Y. There are no injuries.

1994: Two pilots eject from their aircraft near Moose Jaw, sustaining minor injuries.

1992: Two pilots eject safely from their jets near Bagotville, Que.

1992: A crash near Moose Jaw is blamed on a failed engine bearing. There are no injuries.

1991: A Snowbird jet crashes during a routine training flight near Moose Jaw. The two pilots are not seriously injured.

1989: Capt. Shane Antaya, 26, is killed during an air show at the CNE in Toronto, when his plane crashed into Lake Ontario.

1978: Capt. Gordon de Jong, 32, is killed during an air show in Grande Prairie, Alta.

1972: Capt. Lloyd Waterer, 24, is killed during an air show in Trenton, Ont.

Thanks for posting this, Lilypon. That is some interesting reading. I can understand that keeping these planes in good working order and even the fuel can be a drain on military funds, and it doesn't sound like the money will be there to replace the aircraft any time soon, either.

Tonight's *Corner Gas* features the Snowbirds and was dedicated to the memory of Capt. Miles Selby.

This message was edited Mar 15, 2005 12:42 PM

Thanks for posting this, Pam. I'm sorry I missed it.

A number of patrons were talking about it at the library next day.....it was sad to see the pilots but it was also funny (had Butt's touch to the final scene).