Chainsaw and the Raptor

RoAF · by **RoAF** » 25 Apr 2006, 09:30

Check this out:
http://pogoblog.typepad.com/pogo/2006/0 ... .html#more
and http://www.f-16.net/news_article1768.html

No further comments...

:shock:

boff180 · by **boff180** » 25 Apr 2006, 10:13

couldnt they have just disabled the ejection seat but fired the explosive bolts on the cockpit? seems a major bugger up by LM if there is no backup system for if the cockpit jams!

Andy

akruse21 · by **akruse21** » 25 Apr 2006, 10:37

either way you have a jacked up canopy

Safetystick · by **Safetystick** » 25 Apr 2006, 11:28

Some better photos and more commentary: http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/20 ... anopy.html

Note the rather nasty scrape on the fuselage. Bet that's going to take more than some T-Cut to buff out!

So what is it with forward fuselages these days? Gear failure on a Typhoon, canopy failure on a Raptor? Just don't build 'em like they used too.

Edit - They may have spent the 5 hours working out what was going to cost less. Blowing the canopy release may have caused more damage from the charges. This way they just need to clean out the cockpit, replace the canopy and what ever they do to repair the upper coatings.

Oh, and find the fault too. I imagine LMCO are going to be chasing this down VERY quickly.

rub1con · by **rub1con** » 25 Apr 2006, 11:28

I really liked reading through the comments. I find it funny that they were calling for the cancelling of the program because of the canopy.

I bet there is a backup to open a stuck canopy if the actuator failed. This seems that it physically jamned on the rail. I bet they would have had to replace the canopy if they were able to get it open without cutting it.

falconfixer860261 · by **falconfixer860261** » 25 Apr 2006, 13:39

They also do this test for certification to show that the rescue folks could get a trapped incapacitated pilot out of a jet in an emergency if all the emergency systems failed. They do this to every new type of jet during initial testing.

vinnie · by **vinnie** » 25 Apr 2006, 14:14

This is not a new problem, why did jets used to come with canopy knives stowed in the cockpit? Had great time watching a guy get cut out of an A-10 at Moody.

falconfixer860261 · by **falconfixer860261** » 25 Apr 2006, 14:57

vinnie wrote:This is not a new problem, why did jets used to come with canopy knives stowed in the cockpit? Had great time watching a guy get cut out of an A-10 at Moody.

Funny thing about canopy breaker tools. I'd bet nobody ever used one for its intended purpose and it was just a psychological feel good thing for crews. Sort of like crash axes. Can you imagine being trapped in a cockpit and trying to get enough force and the right angle to use that tool? You'd have more success at cutting your leg off with it.

Jeff · by **Jeff** » 25 Apr 2006, 15:12

It looks like you guys beat me to it, but we've got a story up in the F-22 News section!

Pilot trapped in F-22 cockpit after canopy failure

I'm just glad we got the pilot out OK and the jet will be fine after a bit of a cleaning. I just feel sorry for the crew chief who has to clean all the FOD out of that cockpit!

Guysmiley · by **Guysmiley** » 25 Apr 2006, 15:35

Well, a bit of cleaning... and a new canopy!

Still, haven't some Vipers had stuck canopies in the past? Does anyone recall if it ever came to cutting the canopy off?

MICAP · by **MICAP** » 25 Apr 2006, 15:58

The $hitty thing was that it was the Boss' jet, he was needless to say a little traumatized. They already know the problem and apparently it was an issue in previous Raptors before during testing phases. Also there is an issue with TOD matching between maintainers and pilots. You'd think they would figure that out already.

seat_dreamer · by **seat_dreamer** » 25 Apr 2006, 16:27

The Raptor had it's first meal eh :lol:

I can't help myself from stopping a bit of laugh when I see the pilot stuck in there like " :oops:

Ow man....WTF ??!!"

Also, so many people, from 15-year old kids to KGB and Chinese agents want to be for 10 minutes in that cockpit and this guy is so lucky that they needed the fire service to take him out ! They also got a cabrio F-22, I bet all the girls will fall for it

And all that FOD...In the cockpit...On the skin....Nightmare for maintainers

elp · by **elp** » 25 Apr 2006, 17:03

What will be more interesting is to see if anyone gets fired for releasing the photos. On the Flight International Link it says: These exclusive photos, provided via the 1st Maintenance Group, show the event unfolding....

Last time I checked. A Group CC doesn't have any authority to release photos, so I doubt he/she did it. Wing Public Affairs ( or higher ) is the releasing authority on all photos inside an air force installation. And my experience tells me no Wing PA or higher would release these photos. Ergo, a problem. Whoever gave out the photos might as well turn themself in now and save 10 other people a lot of paperwork. Most likely there will be some asshad over this. I don't see any way of avoiding that.

snypa777 · by **snypa777** » 25 Apr 2006, 17:41

Boy, the Pilot looked MIGHTY pissed off in the photo I saw! 5 hours watching people take pictures of you in a silly predicament, without being able to do a damn thing about it.....SH@@@@@**&$%$$TTTTTTT!

boff180 · by **boff180** » 25 Apr 2006, 18:56

snypa777 wrote:Boy, the Pilot looked MIGHTY pissed off in the photo I saw! 5 hours watching people take pictures of you in a silly predicament, without being able to do a damn thing about it.....SH@@@@@**&$%$$TTTTTTT!

Maybe he could have if the gun had ammo :lol: