A pilot of the United States Air Force (USAF) Thunderbirds demonstration squadron, Captain Christopher Stricklin ejected from his F-16 aircraft at an Airshow at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.
Captain Stricklin was attempting to perform a Reverse Half Cuban Eight and was unable to pull up in time, and used his ejector seat 0.8 seconds before the plane crashed and skidded for over 200 yards, with the jet engine flying out over a further 100 yards.
Although Captain Stricklin had insufficient altitude to complete his maneuver, he was able to guide the F-16 aircraft down the runway away from the assembled spectators.
He survived with only minor bruising and no one on the ground was injured, but the $20 million F-16 was destroyed.
Here is a Videos of Thunderbird F-16 fighter jet Crash at Airshows. Let’s see Videos of Thunderbird F-16 fighter jet Crash at Airshows
Cockpit View of F-16 Thunderbirds Jet Fighter Crashing, with the Pilot Ejecting from the Aircraft, a Split Second before Disaster.
The USAF Thunderbirds are currently the fastest flying flight demonstration team in the world
It is based at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada.
They tour in the USA and Worldwide performing
- close formation flying,
- signature diamond configuration
- the number of solo and group combinations.
The name Thunderbirds comes from a “supernatural” bird of power and strength from the culture of indigenous North American people.
Thunderbird Crash in 1994 at Indiana Springs Auxiliary Airfield, Nevada during “spiral descent” maneuver
On Feb 14, 1994, Thunderbird #5 Maj. John Switzer crashed while performing “spiral descent” maneuver at Indiana Springs Auxiliary Airfield, Nevada during winter training.
