Florida jets 2015 incident
03-17-2015, 04:05 AM
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Florida jets 2015 incident
I read with interest every single one of the posts that had anything to do with the Crash and Burn incident at Florida Jets 11 days ago. With that in mind, I'd like to make some comments about the episode AND offer some information about the new RED FLAG event that was scheduled for this October. However, I'll do Red Flag in a separate post.
So, about the incident. It truly amazes me how some people can hear about an accident and then just run to the computer and post all sorts of crap that is so far from the truth. I have just finished a grueling session with insurance people / adjusters, and now I can relate what happened. And by the way, I saw it all unfold right before me, so there is NO conjecture here of what happened or may have happened. And it does NOT make a bit of difference who the pilot was or what aircraft he was flying at the time.
There were 4 pilots on the flight line. the flight line is protected by a mid-height barrier, to keep a wayward airplane from hitting someone below the knees and taking him out, causing him to fall.Generally, pilots stand a couple of feet aft of the barrier fence, but some do crowd it. A pilot was performing a Split-S type maneuver and something happened; could have been a battery that signed off, could have been a stall, or maybe Thor just whacked the thing out of the sky, it doesn't matter. What does matter is that the jet came down, out of control, at about a 65 degree angle, hit the tarmac, rebounded and skidded towards the pilot station barriers. It hit the corner of barrier and burst into flames when the fuel from the ruptured fuel tank hit the hot engine. The resulting fireball contained ignited fuel and sprayed that hot, burning fuel over a wide area, causing 2nd degree burns to one individual on his arm and 1st degree burns on his leg and the side of his face, and a very minor burn to another individual. The man with the serious burns was taken to Tampa General Hospital, they have a well recognized Burn unit, where he was treated, observed and released later that day. He attended the Saturday night dinner, and had a decent time despite the agonizing pain he was experiencing. He has since returned home. We are in contact with him, will not abandon him and will do all we can to make his recovery, both health wise and financial, as effortless as possible.
Those are the facts. Why anyone would want to spin them any further is beyond me!
Last, I strongly feel that most people who DO post or say horrible things about others are usually horrible people themselves. To even think that this accident had anything to do with the promoter, the club or anyone in attendance is absurd. It was a freaking accident! And everything could have been done to prevent it, is purely Hindsight. For example, the guy could have simply stayed home that day! But that is not the case. This was an ACCIDENT, just like they have in Football, Nascar, Full Scale Aerobatics and Drag Racing. Moving a protective fence back an additional 4 feet from the flight line is an excellent idea, until someone crashes 5 feet beyond that! That's it. I can't imagine how any negative comments may erupt from the "Truth" but I'm certain there are at least a few of you lurking out there, chomping at the bit trying to figure a way to bash and trash.
So, about the incident. It truly amazes me how some people can hear about an accident and then just run to the computer and post all sorts of crap that is so far from the truth. I have just finished a grueling session with insurance people / adjusters, and now I can relate what happened. And by the way, I saw it all unfold right before me, so there is NO conjecture here of what happened or may have happened. And it does NOT make a bit of difference who the pilot was or what aircraft he was flying at the time.
There were 4 pilots on the flight line. the flight line is protected by a mid-height barrier, to keep a wayward airplane from hitting someone below the knees and taking him out, causing him to fall.Generally, pilots stand a couple of feet aft of the barrier fence, but some do crowd it. A pilot was performing a Split-S type maneuver and something happened; could have been a battery that signed off, could have been a stall, or maybe Thor just whacked the thing out of the sky, it doesn't matter. What does matter is that the jet came down, out of control, at about a 65 degree angle, hit the tarmac, rebounded and skidded towards the pilot station barriers. It hit the corner of barrier and burst into flames when the fuel from the ruptured fuel tank hit the hot engine. The resulting fireball contained ignited fuel and sprayed that hot, burning fuel over a wide area, causing 2nd degree burns to one individual on his arm and 1st degree burns on his leg and the side of his face, and a very minor burn to another individual. The man with the serious burns was taken to Tampa General Hospital, they have a well recognized Burn unit, where he was treated, observed and released later that day. He attended the Saturday night dinner, and had a decent time despite the agonizing pain he was experiencing. He has since returned home. We are in contact with him, will not abandon him and will do all we can to make his recovery, both health wise and financial, as effortless as possible.
Those are the facts. Why anyone would want to spin them any further is beyond me!
Last, I strongly feel that most people who DO post or say horrible things about others are usually horrible people themselves. To even think that this accident had anything to do with the promoter, the club or anyone in attendance is absurd. It was a freaking accident! And everything could have been done to prevent it, is purely Hindsight. For example, the guy could have simply stayed home that day! But that is not the case. This was an ACCIDENT, just like they have in Football, Nascar, Full Scale Aerobatics and Drag Racing. Moving a protective fence back an additional 4 feet from the flight line is an excellent idea, until someone crashes 5 feet beyond that! That's it. I can't imagine how any negative comments may erupt from the "Truth" but I'm certain there are at least a few of you lurking out there, chomping at the bit trying to figure a way to bash and trash.
03-17-2015, 06:10 AM
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I've known Mr. Frank Tiano for quite some years, and he's a very respectful person.
Did anyone see what happened at the gator nationals to Larry Dixon? Just an accident
that can happen anytime anywhere. So WHY all this Bulls-- about this? Imagine the accident happening
in front of the spectators. That could have been awful.
SO PLEASE STOP ALL THIS NONSENSENSE. I think this thread should be finished and closed.
hmarmaizmd717
Did anyone see what happened at the gator nationals to Larry Dixon? Just an accident
that can happen anytime anywhere. So WHY all this Bulls-- about this? Imagine the accident happening
in front of the spectators. That could have been awful.
SO PLEASE STOP ALL THIS NONSENSENSE. I think this thread should be finished and closed.
hmarmaizmd717
03-18-2015, 05:59 AM
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To Frank Tiano and all the others who CD these big high profile national events. I applaud your efforts. I know a little of what it takes when I CD our clubs giant scale shows. You put everything you have into doing everything right. On the day of the event you don't rest until it is in the books. Doing these things makes our hobby/sport stronger.
Joe Felonk
Joe Felonk
03-18-2015, 08:44 AM
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Thanks Frank for the report, I was a spotter on the flight line ,standing at the next flight station to where the fire ball and debris landed. Your account is exactly correct. A t the same time a large l-39 was rolling for take off and headed directly at me as the pilot loss control. The barrier did its job and stopped the plane from mowing me down..thanks again for stepping up and providing the correct information .
