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[aaronjb]

A couple of different places are now carrying the same story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-15640104

It seems another Red Arrows pilot has been killed, this time on the ground when his ejection seat fired (presumably accidentally, but that's conjecture until an investigation has taken place).

The pilot hasn't been named at the families request.

 

[henryd]

 As you say "a bad year indeed",very sad

[feeutfo]

No word on what happened with the last guy?

[tunnie]

No word on what happened with the last guy?

Bird strike to the engine i think 

[tigers_gonads]

Ffs, we never had this many "incidents" when I was in 20 years ago and we had more then 3 times the amount of aircraft then 

I know that they has been issues with that type of seat and I also know that when I was serving, the seats was removed every 6 months / xxx flying hours and serviced "in house". 
I believe that they now go back too Martin Baker every 2 years.

I know accidents / mistakes happen so i'll say no more untill I know more facts about what happened.

Thoughts with the family of the deceased and the victims colleges 

[Amigo]

I little...well no knowledge on aircraft but the Scampton base is near to me on the A15 just North of Lincoln so i pass it regularly in the truck.
     Twice today as i had a 45ft box of Bacardi Breezers for Desborough & empty back & heard it on the radio so thoughts & wishes with the family.

[Entwood]

My condolences and thoughts are with the family involved...

but I see those scum-bags from the Daily Mail have totally ignored the Family's request for a period of privacy and have published the name on-line.

What ever happened to common decency and respect

[tunnie]

from the BBC:

The pilot's family has asked for a period of grace until his name is released.

So those few hours are enough for that trashy paper 

[aaronjb]

Indeed, I saw that and thought the same thing 

[TheBoy]

Thats because the Daily Mail is written by retards for excitable retards  . Effing disgrace 


Thoughts go out to the pilot's family 

[tidla]

most systems vehicle or other wise given any thought have failsafes. some on here obviously have knowledge of aircraft systems. to me, i would have thought that the ejector seat system could not be operated untill the correct height or speed, or which would not allow the parachute system to work effectively??

[aaronjb]

IIRC they're fitted with a zero-zero ejection seat; i.e. one that is certified to work at 0ft of altitude relative to ground, so the problem that killed him almost certainly wouldn't have been a simple ejection (it'd have been painful, but survivable).

My suspicion would be that the pilot failed to clear the canopy (I don't know if they're fitted with a canopy designed to shatter, or blow off) due to some kind of failure there - but it's pure conjecture and doesn't really serve a purpose..

Only the official investigation is likely to come up with a conclusive cause - which we (the public) are unlikely to hear about..

[Entwood]

most systems vehicle or other wise given any thought have failsafes. some on here obviously have knowledge of aircraft systems. to me, i would have thought that the ejector seat system could not be operated untill the correct height or speed, or which would not allow the parachute system to work effectively??

The seat fitted is capable of operating under "zero-zero coditions"  that is zero height and zero speed. The seat is fully capable of activating whilst the aircraft is on the ground, if for example a major engine fire developed during start.

The "safety" aspect is covered by "safety pins" which are only removed at a very specific point in the preparation for flight routine. Until that point the seat is "unarmed" and incapable of operation, after that it is "armed" and will function when so commanded to do, which is another set of specific actions and sequences.

There is much conjecture in the press and on forums as to what occured .. but that is all it is .. guesswork. The Board of Inquiry will establish the facts and publish them.

[aaronjb]

There's an echo in here..  

I see the DM has done the decent thing and removed his name.. shame they managed to print it in the first place, though  quality reporting. Then again, their article leads with the headline that he was killed, then refers to "the injured pilot's jet"

Not somewhere you go to read their articles for their quality of reporting, I suppose.

[aaronjb]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2064677/Red-Arrows-pilot-Sean-James-Cunningham-died-multiple-injuries-ejection-accident.html