Defensie luchtvaart ongevallen

Gestart door jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter), 04/05/2012 | 19:53 uur

jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter)

19 februari 2013 12:16

Straaljager stort neer in hoofdstad Jemen

SANAA - Zes mensen zijn dinsdag omgekomen, doordat een straaljager neerstortte in het centrum van de hoofdstad van Jemen, Sanaa. 

Hulpverleners hebben dat laten weten. Vermoedelijk zijn de slachtoffers allen mensen op de grond.

De piloot van het toestel, een Russische Sukhoi SU-22 van de Jeminitische luchtmacht, zou zich namelijk met zijn schietstoel in veiligheid hebben gebracht.

Het Jeminitische ministerie van Defensie verklaarde dat het toestel een trainingsvlucht maakte toen het verongelukte.

http://www.nu.nl/algemeen/3234209/straaljager-stort-neer-in-hoofdstad-jemen.html

jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter)

Tornado fighter of Saudi air force crashes, pilot survives

RIYADH, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- A Tornado fighter of the Saudi royal air force crashed Monday during a training, but the pilot survived, Saudi defense ministry said.

The crash occurred Monday afternoon during a routine training at King Abdulaziz airbase in Dhahran, and the crew have escaped to safety, the Saudi Press Agency quoted the defense ministry as saying.

An investigation has been launched by a technical team to probe the plane's falling, the ministry said.

An F15 jet and a Hawk aircraft crashed during different training missions in December in the kingdom. One pilot of the F15 jet was killed in the crash.

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/article_xinhua.asp?id=124984

jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter)

Debris of F-16 missing in Italy believed found, search focuses on spot

RAVENNA, Italy | Tue Jan 29, 2013

(Reuters) - Italian Coast Guard divers searching for a missing American F-16 and its pilot were focusing on Tuesday on waters where a fishing boat found debris believed to belong to the jet, a Coast Guard official said.

The debris, including fragments of carbon steel, was found floating in the northern Adriatic overnight, Rear Admiral Francesco Saverio Ferrara said. The U.S. Air Force said in a statement on Tuesday it was thought to be wreckage from the missing aircraft.

"We hope to find out more during the day so we can have a more complete picture of what happened," Ferrara said.

The missing jet took off from Aviano Air Base on a training exercise on Monday evening, and the control tower lost contact with the plane at about 2 p.m. ET.

Search-and-rescue operations are being conducted by sea from the port of Ravenna, and Air Force planes from Aviano are spearheading the search from above, Ferrara said.

Snow and rain hampered the operation overnight, and on Tuesday fog was hampering visibility, the Coast Guard said.

Aviano is the base for the U.S. Air Force's 31st Fighter Wing. The Air Force said a board of officers would investigate the incident.

"Wing leadership remains hopeful that we will safely rescue our pilot," an Air Force statement said.

(Reporting by Giorgio Benvenuti; Writing by Steve Scherer in Rome; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/29/us-usa-fighter-crash-idUSBRE90S0PM20130129

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U.S. F-16 fighter based in Italy may have crashed in Adriatic

ROME | Mon Jan 28, 2013

(Reuters) - A U.S. F-16 fighter jet may have crashed on Monday during a training exercise over the Adriatic Sea and the U.S. Air Force said the status of its Italy-based pilot was unknown.

Search efforts, aided by Italy's Coast Guard, were under way and the Air Force declined to offer many details.

It said only that it "lost contact" with the F-16 at about 8 p.m. local (2100 GMT) - language often used to describe a possible crash, although Air Force officials declined to speculate about the incident.

"The aircraft was performing a training mission over the Adriatic Sea with one person on board. The pilot's condition is unknown at this time," the Air Force said in a statement.

Italy's Coast Guard confirmed it was helping in the search-and-rescue effort.

A spokeswoman at Aviano Air Base in northern Italy said more information would released as it became available.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/28/us-fighter-crash-idUSBRE90R11Z20130128

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Crashes raise concern about Pakistani air force

By By SEBASTIAN ABBOT

11/12/12

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Over a dozen Pakistani air force planes have crashed in roughly the past 18 months, raising concerns about the health of an aging fleet that officials are struggling to upgrade because of a lack of funds.

A significant number of the air force's combat aircraft are nearly half a century old and have been called on in recent years to help the army fight a domestic Taliban insurgency that has killed thousands of people. This has added to the strain on a force that has historically focused on countering the threat from Pakistan's neighbor and archenemy, India.

Pakistan has turned to the U.S. and China for help in modernizing its air force, but economic woes have strained the government's budget, even for the country's powerful military. Tension with the U.S. over a host of issues, including the covert raid that killed Osama bin Laden last year, also hasn't helped.

Shahzad Chaudhry, a former senior Pakistani air force officer, said the number of planes that have crashed "would be worrying for any air force."

"If I were air force chief, I certainly wouldn't want to see over a dozen airplanes being lost," said Chaudhry. "Obviously we need to bring those numbers down."

At least 13 planes have crashed since May 2011, many because of technical problems, according to a record maintained by The Associated Press. The air force did not respond to request for comment on the crashes.

The most recent accident occurred on Nov. 22, when a Dassault Mirage fighter jet crashed on a routine night training mission in central Punjab province, killing the pilot. The air force said at the time that it was investigating the cause of the crash, but eyewitnesses said the plane caught fire before it fell out of the sky.

Nearly half the planes that have crashed were decades-old Mirage fighters. They make up at least a quarter of the force's fleet of about 400 combat aircraft, according to the website GlobalSecurity.org. Many were built nearly 50 years ago and acquired from foreign militaries that had already retired them.

"We bought them at almost throw-away prices, brought them over, overhauled them and continue to operate them," said former Pakistani air force chief Tanvir Mahmood. "This was our compulsion because of the financial constraints that we had."

Chaudhry, the former senior air force officer, said the Mirage was a "very sturdy platform" that shouldn't fail easily.

"But when you have the intensity of an operational combat environment, problems tend to be there," said Chaudhry.

The crashes raise questions not only about the age of the aircraft, but also flight maintenance practices, said Sajad Haider, a celebrated former air force pilot who has written a book about the service.

Other planes that have gone down include the Chengdu F-7 fighter jet bought from China, the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet jointly developed with China and Pakistan's Mushshak trainer, a propeller plane.

The most advanced fighter jet operated by the Pakistani air force is the F-16 Fighting Falcon, over 60 of which were purchased in various batches from the U.S. over the past three decades.

U.S. military support came to a halt in the 1990s because of sanctions imposed on Pakistan over its nuclear program, but resumed in 2001 when Washington needed Islamabad's support to fight al-Qaida and the Taliban in Afghanistan. Military assistance largely dried up once again over the past two years because of renewed tensions between the two countries, although the U.S. did deliver more than a dozen new F-16s purchased by Pakistan.

One of the reasons Pakistan turned to China for help with its air force was the country's troubles with the U.S.

The government has purchased over 100 F-7 fighter jets from China, mostly in the 1980s, and has reportedly ordered more advanced FC-20 fighter jets in recent years. Pakistan is also domestically producing the JF-17 fighter jet, jointly developed with China, but it has not yet entered full service.

"The JF-17 program was pushed through during my tenure of office because we knew we couldn't live with these old Mirages and some of our old Chinese planes for too long," said Mahmood, who served as air force chief from 2006 to 2009.

The current head of the air force, Tahir Rafique Butt, told Pakistan's Senate defense committee at the end of November that the force was struggling to modernize its equipment and technology because of a shortage of funds, said the head of the committee, Mushahid Hussain.

While Pakistani military spending makes up about 20 percent of the government's budget, the air force is lower down the totem pole than the powerful army.

Hussain said the air force was doing the best with what it has, but the recent spate of crashes "was linked to use of technology that is fast becoming outmoded and obsolete."

"That reinforces the argument the air force was making to us about a lack of resources," said Hussain.

Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press.

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Another Saudi military aircraft crashed in less than 24 hours

2012-12-04

RIYADH - A Hawk aircraft of Saudi Air Forces crashed during a training mission on Monday, but its pilot survived after using a parachute, Saudi News Agency reported.

The accident occurred in less than 24 hours after the crash of a F15 jet of Royal Saudi Air Forces, the reported said quoting an official source at Defense Ministry.

The Hawk aircraft, serving at King Faisal Air Base in northwestern region, crashed due to a technical glitch while approaching the runway, the source said. The pilot has been referred to a hospital, with no information of his condition released so far.

The F15 jet was also on a training mission, with the pilot still missing.

Two technical teams have been formed to investigate the two accidents.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2012-12/04/content_15982187.htm

jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter)

Saudi F15 aircraft falls in territorial waters: Defense Ministry

Last Updated : Monday, December 03, 2012

RIYADH — An F15 aircraft of the Royal Saudi Air Forces with a pilot on board crashed into territorial waters Sunday evening while on a routine training mission, an official source at the Ministry of Defense said.

The accident took place on a mission led by Pilot Officer Fahad Bin Faleh Al-Msarir in a training area at King Abdulaziz Air Base in the Eastern Region. A search for the pilot is still under way, the Ministry said.

The official source also said that authorities have formed a technical team to investigate the cause of the accident. — SPA

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20121203144852

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Safety paramount as F-22 investigation continues

Published: Mon November 19th, 2012 via: AFNS

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- The pilot of a F-22 Raptor, assigned to the 43rd Fighter Squadron, safely ejected as the jet crashed Nov. 15 around 3:30 p.m. on Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., one-quarter mile east of the drone runway.

Despite initial media speculation, there are no indications that point to the life support system leading to this incident or playing any role in this crash. A thorough investigation is being conducted in accordance with standard Air Force and Department of Defense policy. The pilot was conducting a routine training mission when first responders were alerted of a problem via an in-flight emergency call and were on scene fighting the fire within two minutes of the incident.

"Our first responders reacted quickly and professionally due to the extensive training we conduct here at Tyndall," said Col. David Graff, 325th Fighter Wing commander. "In addition, the pilot received top-notch care from our medical group."

A safety team here began interviewing witnesses, maintainers and other individuals immediately after the incident.

"Right now, our number one priority is the safety of our Airmen and all involved as we secure the scene of the incident," Graff said.

The first step taken in the securing process was a sweep by explosive ordnance disposal Airmen for any parts of the aircraft that may be explosive.

Follow-on steps include addressing environmental and biological hazards. Most modern aircraft are made of composite fibers, which can create health concerns for people on the scene when the plane catches fire.

First responders at Tyndall AFB are well trained and equipped to respond to aircraft crashes and minimize their effects on surrounding areas, Graff said. Throughout the initial and continued responses all personnel have worn the appropriate protective gear, and they will continue to do so until the immediate site of the crash is deemed safe.

While safety is the primary concern, preserving the accident scene is a critical part of the investigation. All evidence will be photographed and tagged to preserve all evidence for the official safety investigation board members.

http://air-attack.com/news/article/4911/2012-11-19-Safety-paramount-as-F-22-investigation-continues.html

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Fighter jet crashes near Florida Air Force base

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AP) — An Air Force F-22 Raptor fighter jet crashed near a Florida Panhandle highway Thursday, but the pilot was able to eject safely and there were no injuries on the ground, the military said.

The single-seat stealth fighter, part of a program that has been plagued with problems, went down Thursday afternoon near Tyndall Air Force Base, just south of Panama City on The Gulf of Mexico. The pilot received medical treatment and a section of Highway 98 that runs through the base was closed as rescuers responded.

The crash was on Tyndall land and no one on the ground was hurt, said Air Force Sgt. Rachelle Elsea, a spokeswoman for the base where F-22 pilots train.

The Air Force said the plane went down in a wooded area near the highway.

The cause of the crash isn't clear, but the Air Force has been trying to address problems with the $190 million aircraft for several years. In 2008, pilots began reporting a sharp increase in hypoxia-like problems, forcing the Air Force to finally acknowledge concerns about the F-22's oxygen supply system. Two years later, the oxygen system contributed to a fatal crash. Though pilot error ultimately was deemed to be the cause, the fleet was grounded for four months in 2011.

New restrictions were imposed in May, after two F-22 pilots went on the CBS program "60 Minutes" to express their continued misgivings. The Air Force has said the F-22 is safe to fly — a dozen of the jets began a six-month deployment to Japan in July — but flight restrictions that remain in place will keep it out of the high-altitude situations where pilots' breathing is under the most stress.

Internal documents and emails obtained by The Associated Press earlier this year show Air Force experts actually proposed a range of solutions by 2005, including adjustments to the flow of oxygen into pilot's masks. But that key recommendation was rejected by military officials reluctant to add costs to a program that was already well over budget.

Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press.

jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter)

F-22 Raptor crashes at Tyndall AFB

By Air Force News Agency on Friday, November 16th, 2012

An F-22 Raptor crashed Nov. 15, at 3:30 p.m. on Tyndall Air Force , Fla., one quarter mile east of the drone runway.

Highway 98 has been closed from Dupont Bridge to the "Welcome to Mexico Beach" sign as a safety precaution. The incident is not on Highway 98.

The pilot ejected from the aircraft safely and is currently under supervision of the 325th Medical Group. First responders are on scene.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation and additional details will be provided as soon as they become available.

Read more: http://www.defencetalk.com/f-22-raptor-crashes-at-tyndall-afb-45532/#ixzz2CMnS5Och

jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter)

Air Force aerobatic jet crashes in South Korea

HOENGSEONG, South Korea, Nov. 15 (Yonhap) -- An Air Force aerobatic jet crashed in northeastern South Korea on Thursday, killing its lone pilot and sparking a brush fire, police said.

The T-50B plane went down at 10:28 a.m. on a mountain in Hoengseong, about 90 kilometers east of Seoul, and its pilot, identified only as Capt. Kim, 32, is believed dead, officials said.

A parachute was found hanging from a tree about 70 meters from the scene, but the pilot was believed to have failed to eject, officials said.

It was one of two planes that took off from an air base in nearby Wonju at 10:23 a.m. Witnesses in the area said the two jets flew in parallel before one of them went down in flames.

The crash also sparked a fire at the scene and firefighters are trying to get the blaze under control.

The plane belonged to the Air Force aerobatic team, known as "Black Eagles." The T-50B, which derives from the T-50 trainer jet, is designed exclusively for air shows. It is the first time the model has crashed.

The cause of the crash is not yet known.

Zie link voor de foto.

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2012/11/15/89/0301000000AEN20121115005352315F.HTML

jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter)

U.S. F-16 fighter crashes off coast of Japan

TOKYO | Sun Jul 22, 2012 2:38am EDT

(Reuters) - A U.S. F-16 fighter jet crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of northern Japan on Sunday and efforts are underway to rescue the pilot, a spokeswoman for the Misawa Air Base said.

The jet took off from the U.S. air base in Aomori and crashed about 11:30 Japan time (0230 GMT) some 200 miles northeast of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, the spokesperson said.

"One person, the pilot, was on board. Efforts are currently underway to retrieve the pilot," she said, reading from a statement.

"The aircraft was enroute to North America when the incident occurred. The cause of the incident is unknown at this time."

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/22/us-japan-f16-crash-idUSBRE86L02L20120722

jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter)

Su-25 Fighter Jet Crashes in Belarus

MINSK, June 12 (RIA Novosti)

A Soviet-era fighter jet crashed in Belarus on Tuesday, killing the man piloting the aircraft, the country's Defense Ministry said.

The pilot, Nikolai Gridnyov, lost control of the jet when doing exercises in low-altitude flight, the ministry said, local news agency BELTA reported.

Ground control ordered the pilot to eject from the plane, but he stayed in order to prevent the machine from crashing into a neighboring village, sacrificing his life to make the jet crash two kilometers away from the village, the report said.

The ministry did not elaborate on the causes of the crash. Belarusian Air Force has more than 70 Su-25s, which were developed in the 1970s.

http://en.ria.ru/mlitary_news/20120612/173989627.html

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Fighter jet crashes in Balochistan, no casualties

AFP | 4 hours ago

KARACHI: A Pakistani fighter jet crashed in the south of the country Tuesday while on routine training but the pilot ejected safely and there were no casualties on the ground, an air force official said.

The French-built Mirage jet took off from the Pakistan Air Force's Masroor Base in Karachi and crashed near the town of Uthal in southwestern Balochistan province, air force spokesman Squadron Leader Mohammad Nadeem told AFP.

Uthal is around 60 kilometres west of Karachi.

"The pilot ejected successfully and safely," the spokesman said, adding the cause of the accident would be determined after an investigation.

No loss of civilian life or property was reported on ground, he said.

It was the second Mirage aircraft crash in the region in a month. A Mirage-V crashed on May 11 while its pilot ejected safely as well.

The Pakistan Air Force has a fleet of Chinese aircraft including F-7PGs and A-5s, plus US-built F-16s and French Mirages. It recently acquired JF-17s Thunder jets, manufactured jointly by China and Pakistan.

http://dawn.com/2012/06/12/fighter-jet-crashes-in-balochistan-no-casualties/

jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter)

ISLAMABAD: Two Pakistan Air Force light aircraft collided mid-air on Thursday, killing four pilots on a routine training mission northwest of Islamabad, police said.

It was the sixth Pakistan Air Force crash in seven months and the second in a week, raising concerns over the safety of its largely Chinese and locally made fleet.

The cause of the accident was not immediately clear.

One of the two-seater propeller Mushshak planes crashed on a house, injuring a girl and an elderly man, and the second fell in nearby fields in the Rashkai area, 160 kilometres (100 miles) northwest of the capital.

"Two Pakistan Air Force trainer aircraft collided mid-air. Four pilots were killed, two were trainee pilots and two were instructors," district police officer Mohammad Hussain said.

"One of the aircraft crashed over a house, injuring a girl and an elderly man, and the second plane crashed in the fields." Another police official, Hayatullah, who uses only one name, confirmed the casualties.

Last Friday, a fighter jet crashed near the southwestern town of Sonmiani but the pilot managed to eject safely.

The Pakistan Air Force has a fleet of Chinese aircraft including F-7PGs and A-5s, plus US-built F-16s and French Mirages. It recently acquired medium-tech JF-17, or Thunder jets, manufactured jointly by China and Pakistan.

http://dawn.com/2012/05/17/collision-of-pafs-training-aircraft-kills-four/