2012 Virginia Beach F/A-18 crash: Difference between revisions
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==Incident== |
==Incident== |
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At 12:05 p.m. the twin engined Hornet launched from [[Naval Air Station Oceana]] on a heading of 053 degrees, identical to its departure runway. The training mission went as planned until a “catastrophic mechanical malfunction”<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://hamptonroads.com/2012/04/navy-jet-slams-virginia-beach-apartments|title = Navy jet slams into Virginia Beach apartments|date = April 7, 2012|accessdate = February 18, 2015|website = hamptonroads.com|publisher = The Virginian-Pilot|last = Wiltrout|first = Kate}}</ref> lead to both engines failing just after take off and less than {{convert|10|mi|abbr=on}} from the Naval Air Station. The crew immediately turned and headed back to base. Losing altitude, the crew then began dumping fuel to lighten the stricken aircraft and reduce the risk of fire. When the Hornet reached {{convert|50|ft|abbr=on}} [[Altitude above ground level|agl]] in a nose high attitude, the pilots ejected. The F/A-18 ploughed into the Mayfair Mews apartments complex that houses about 100 residents. |
At 12:05 p.m. the twin engined Hornet launched from [[Naval Air Station Oceana]] on a heading of 053 degrees, identical to its departure runway. The training mission went as planned until a “catastrophic mechanical malfunction”<ref>{{Cite web| url = http://hamptonroads.com/2012/04/navy-jet-slams-virginia-beach-apartments|title = Navy jet slams into Virginia Beach apartments|date = April 7, 2012|accessdate = February 18, 2015|website = hamptonroads.com|publisher = The Virginian-Pilot|last = Wiltrout|first = Kate}}</ref> lead to both engines failing just after take off and less than {{convert|10|mi|abbr=on}} from the Naval Air Station. The crew immediately turned and headed back to base. Losing altitude, the crew then began [[Fuel dumping|dumping fuel]] to lighten the stricken aircraft and reduce the risk of fire. When the Hornet reached {{convert|50|ft|abbr=on}} [[Altitude above ground level|agl]] in a nose high attitude, the pilots ejected. The F/A-18 ploughed into the Mayfair Mews apartments complex that houses about 100 residents. |
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==Aftermath== |
==Aftermath== |
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The F/A-18 was completely destroyed, the largest section remaining being the [[Empennage|empennage]] including the twin engines. The [[Port and starboard|starbord]] engine [[Propelling nozzle|Variable Exhaust Nozzle]] was fully open, while the [[Port and starboard|port]] engines nozzle was closed. The apartment complex suffered heavy damage and at least 40 units were absolutely demolished or heavily damaged. By mid afternoon the fire had been put out and seven people were sent to the hospital, including the two pilots. Later that evening all victims were released from the hospital except one pilot listed as in fair condition. The event has become known locally as the “[[Good Friday]] Miracle”. |
The F/A-18 was completely destroyed, the largest section remaining being the [[Empennage|empennage]] including the twin engines. The [[Port and starboard|starbord]] engine [[Propelling nozzle|Variable Exhaust Nozzle]] was fully open, while the [[Port and starboard|port]] engines nozzle was closed. The apartment complex suffered heavy damage and at least 40 units were absolutely demolished or heavily damaged. By mid afternoon the fire had been put out and seven people were sent to the hospital, including the two pilots. Later that evening all victims were released from the hospital except one pilot listed as in fair condition. The event has become known locally as the “[[Good Friday]] Miracle”. |
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==Investigation== |
==Investigation== |
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According to Navy investigators the cause of the incident was a very rare failure of both [[General Electric F404|F404-GE-402]] engines.<ref>http://theaviationist.com/2012/11/29/surveillance-camera-video/. The Aviationist.com retrieved March 22, 2015</ref> First the right engine experienced a massive fuel leak and the crew shut down |
According to Navy investigators the cause of the incident was a very rare failure of both [[General Electric F404|F404-GE-402]] engines.<ref>http://theaviationist.com/2012/11/29/surveillance-camera-video/. The Aviationist.com retrieved March 22, 2015</ref> First the right engine experienced a massive fuel leak and the crew shut down that engine according to proper procedure. As the [[Pilot in command]] increased thrust on the left engine it too failed due to an unrelated concern with its [[Afterburner|afterburner]].<ref>http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/02/us/virginia-f-18-crash/. CNN.com retrieved March 22, 2015</ref> According to Rear Adm. Ted Branch "We have never had this kind of unrelated dual engine mishap in the F-18, it's the first time its ever happened with this aircraft."<ref>name=http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/02/us/virginia-f-18-crash/. CNN.com retrieved March 22, 2015</ref> |
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[[File:Flickr - Official U.S. Navy Imagery - Firefighting foam covers the scene of a crash of an F-A-18D Hornet. (2).jpg|thumb|left|Aerial view of damage to the Mayfair Mews apartment complex with tail section of the F/A-18D at center.]] |
[[File:Flickr - Official U.S. Navy Imagery - Firefighting foam covers the scene of a crash of an F-A-18D Hornet. (2).jpg|thumb|left|Aerial view of damage to the Mayfair Mews apartment complex with tail section of the F/A-18D at center.]] |
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==Eyewitness accounts== |
==Eyewitness accounts== |
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Daniel Cavanaugh, 27, is reported to have seen the jet falling toward the ground at a sharp angle when the occupants ejected form the plane.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url = http://hamptonroads.com/2012/04/eyewitnesses-share-stories-navy-hornet-wreck| title = Eyewitnesses share stories of Navy Hornet wreck|date = April 7, 2012| accessdate = February 18, 2015|website = hamptonroads.com|publisher = Pilot Media|last = |first = }}</ref> Later Cavanaugh noted that he saw officials carrying away a parachute and a pair of boots.<ref name=":1" /> |
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George Pilkington |
George Pilkington looked up and saw the low plane begin to spray fuel, drenching his pick-up truck, “The nose was up; it almost looked like it was trying to land…It was maybe 80 or 90 yards over top of me…The engines were straining, but there was no smoke coming out of the plane…When it made impact, there was literally a plume of smoke like you see in the movies…The flames were unbelievable…you could see where debris hit the buildings around it”.<ref name=":1" /> |
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47 year old Harvey Campbell lived in a near by apartment complex when the sound of the crash made him run out into his yard. He notes that when he ran outside he was, “overwhelmed by smoke”. He then hit the ground after a series of explosions. He also said, “I hear those jets flying over every night. We always feared this would happen”.<ref name=":1" /> |
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Glynda Spencer was visiting her daughter, Jenae Spencer, from [[Syracuse, New York|Syracuse, |
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29-year-old Robert Cunningham lived in an apartment complex about 100 feet from the crash sight. He stated “I thought it was a really big earthquake. When I ran outside, ashes were coming |
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down out of the sky”.<ref name=":1" /> |
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==Compensation for victims== |
==Compensation for victims== |
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Revision as of 20:25, 28 March 2015
 | This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. The specific problem is: non-encyclopaedic tone. (March 2015) |
,_makes_an_arrested_landing.jpg) F/A-18D AD-405. Sister ship of incident aircraft makes an arrested landing on the flight deck of USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), September 21, 2005. | |
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | April 6, 2012 |
| Site | Virginia Beach, Virginia United States 36°51′4″N 75°59′39″W / 36.85111°N 75.99417°W |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18D Hornet |
| Operator | VFA-106 United States Navy (US Navy) |
| Crew | 2 |
| Fatalities | 0 |
The 2012 Virginia Beach F/A-18 Crash occurred during a Navy training flight on April 6, 2012. Shortly after take-off the aircraft suffered multiple engine failures and crashed into an apartment complex. There were no fatalities.
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft involved was a McDonnell Douglas F/A-18D Hornet Bu.No. 163452/AD-410 assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106.[1] It was built in 1987 and had approximately 6,500 hours on its airframe. The aircrew consisted of a fleet replacement pilot and an experienced instructor. Both the pilots were from Virginia Beach, but their identities are not being released.
Incident
At 12:05 p.m. the twin engined Hornet launched from Naval Air Station Oceana on a heading of 053 degrees, identical to its departure runway. The training mission went as planned until a “catastrophic mechanical malfunction”[2] lead to both engines failing just after take off and less than 10 mi (16 km) from the Naval Air Station. The crew immediately turned and headed back to base. Losing altitude, the crew then began dumping fuel to lighten the stricken aircraft and reduce the risk of fire. When the Hornet reached 50 ft (15 m) agl in a nose high attitude, the pilots ejected. The F/A-18 ploughed into the Mayfair Mews apartments complex that houses about 100 residents.
Aftermath
The F/A-18 was completely destroyed, the largest section remaining being the empennage including the twin engines. The starbord engine Variable Exhaust Nozzle was fully open, while the port engines nozzle was closed. The apartment complex suffered heavy damage and at least 40 units were absolutely demolished or heavily damaged. By mid afternoon the fire had been put out and seven people were sent to the hospital, including the two pilots. Later that evening all victims were released from the hospital except one pilot listed as in fair condition. The event has become known locally as the “Good Friday Miracle”.
Investigation
According to Navy investigators the cause of the incident was a very rare failure of both F404-GE-402 engines.[3] First the right engine experienced a massive fuel leak and the crew shut down that engine according to proper procedure. As the Pilot in command increased thrust on the left engine it too failed due to an unrelated concern with its afterburner.[4] According to Rear Adm. Ted Branch "We have never had this kind of unrelated dual engine mishap in the F-18, it's the first time its ever happened with this aircraft."[5]
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Eyewitness accounts
George Pilkington looked up and saw the low plane begin to spray fuel, drenching his pick-up truck, “The nose was up; it almost looked like it was trying to land…It was maybe 80 or 90 yards over top of me…The engines were straining, but there was no smoke coming out of the plane…When it made impact, there was literally a plume of smoke like you see in the movies…The flames were unbelievable…you could see where debris hit the buildings around it”.[6]
Jenae Spencer notes, “I looked out my window and saw black smoke billowing. There was debris falling in our parking lot. One pilot fell into the apartment complex next to ours. He was all bloody, but conscious”.[6]
Compensation for victims
Parties who completed their claims by April 8 received payments of $2,300 for short-term expenses.
References
- ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/06/navy-f-18-crash_n_1408536.htmlwww Huffington Post retrieved March 22, 2015
- ^ Wiltrout, Kate (April 7, 2012). "Navy jet slams into Virginia Beach apartments". hamptonroads.com. The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
- ^ http://theaviationist.com/2012/11/29/surveillance-camera-video/. The Aviationist.com retrieved March 22, 2015
- ^ http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/02/us/virginia-f-18-crash/. CNN.com retrieved March 22, 2015
- ^ name=http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/02/us/virginia-f-18-crash/. CNN.com retrieved March 22, 2015
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
:1was invoked but never defined (see the help page).