Forum: F-16 News

I was awarded the flight as I work for an agency/group that provides consultation services for industry recruitment, investment and jobs. Sumter County, home of Shaw AFB, has a relationship with the airbase and has approval to allow civilians who reach certain benchmarks to take an "orientation" ride. I do not sense you are doubting me; however, I have all documentation, from the written letter advising me of the flight, pre-flight medical, ingress and egress training, and the F-16 "Nine-G" certificate as well as pictures, pins and other memorabilia given to me by the 79th Fighter Squadron. I flew on August 18, 1999 in as I said before, tail 91-0468. My wife gave me one well hidden wall in our new house to hang my "awards". I can send you an e-mail of me standing in front of the plane with my family prior to takeoff. Better yet, I can send it to the moderator if he would like it as it is the only known photo of 91-0468. I just need to know how to do it. I do not want to release the pilots name as we still stay in contact and I do not have his permission to do so. I think about the ride everyday and can go into detail as to what we did, including the takeoff and subsequent Immelmann.

I have never been in the military; however, I have also been to sea on the US Navy guided missle frigate USS Farion, where I stood helm, ridden around Ft. Jackson in a US Marine tank (the Marines have a reserve unit on that Army base) and have flown in a Marine Huey as well as a Stearman PT-17 biplane owned by an individual.

In my current job position, I am currently heavily involved with both commercial and military aerospace contarctors and operators. I will be attending the Paris Airshow in June. Hope this helps.

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rickpump76,

Have you pulled any garlock seals lately ? See ya at the tom quick and Petie says hi. Papa bear.

I take the liberty of referencing the recent Charleston crash here as one of the local Charleston TV stations, WCBD-TV, has obtained <a href="http://media.mgbg.com/wcbd/slideshowf16b/index.htm" target="new" rel="nofollow">six photos showing the crash in motion</a>.

PS: I suspect that these pictures will be valid for today only unless they can be otherwise migrated to this site. Perhaps the moderator can incorporate them in this site?

Wow, great pics...first-hand account of a jet crash. That's one in a million for most of us, but hopefully it doesn't happen too often (jets crashing). That first picture in the slide looks like it was taken right after the pilots ejected as the canopy is clearly missing. Glad no one was hurt and the pilots got out, and better yet, walked out of it.

2! Sad to see but awesome pictures. Betcha that guy was glad to have his camera that day. Glad the pilots are okay.

These were emailed to me by a friend. All photos were taken by Mark R. Koblos. I regret that the news site decided to publish the photo of the crew member walking out of the marsh - I think it's best not to post potentially identifying pictures at this point of events. I'm just glad the pilots are OK!

any word yet on cause of this one???

watcher wrote:

any word yet on cause of this one???

I am not sure if the Accident Investigation Board has put out their report yet.

Somethin broke/quit working, pilots egressed, aircraft found itself unable to continue flight without human guidance, crashed. I'm tellin ya, they NEED me on an investigation board!!!!

Look like a piece of shim was missing off of the turbine blades, at least thats what we were borescopeing for last weekk on all the jets.

A3542, how is my old jet flying? Just curious...

What's up Petie? Hell yeah, I'll see ya... I'm getting out.

rickpump76 wrote:

A3542, how is my old jet flying? Just curious...

What's up Petie? Hell yeah, I'll see ya... I'm getting out.

542 is flying great right now shes my jet

how's the Kun pump?

not too bad..who are you anyway....it's okay i guess. I am getting out on the 15th of June. Going to the Jersey guard full time so I am done with active duty. I'll come down and visit all the fellas.

Too bad theres no video for that one!

Forum: F-16 News

F-16D crashes near Charleston, South Carolina