Posted on 12/10/2004 9:41:49 AM PST by NorthOf45
2 Snowbirds crash in Saskatchewan
December 10, 2004
MOSSBANK, SASK. - Two Canadian Forces Snowbirds crashed Friday morning while the jets were on a practice flight near Mossbank, Sask.
Air force officials say the jets collided in mid-air during one of their daily training missions.
Early reports say the pilots were able to eject, but there's no word on their condition. Captain Jay Walker of 15 Wing said there was one pilot in each aircraft.
Lt. Andrea Collins said a ground search and rescue team is at the site, located near the town of Ardill.
The Canadian Forces is scheduled to hold a news conference at CFB Moose Jaw later Friday.
All flying training missions at the base have been suspended during the investigation into the crash.
The Snowbirds fly 11 Canadair Tutor aircraft: nine perform as a team in air shows and two other spare jets fill in when the others are down for maintenance or repairs.
The planes were used as training aircraft by the air force until 2000.
Mossbank, about 65 kilometres southwest of Moose Jaw, is home base to the aerobatic team.
Ping
Prayers sent for the pilots and their families.
Ping
I am glad that they ejected, now I pray that they will be found safe and sound. Thank you friend from the North
Mossbank is not that far from here.
Saw the Snowbirds as a kid while visiting the Horseshoe Falls. My family was up in the Tower (is it the Skylon?) eating lunch when the Birds flew UNDER us. Back then they appeared to be flying F-4C Phantoms. That kind of gets your attention.
Wasn't there just a different Snowbirds carsh several months ago?
BTW, I saw a show on the Wings channel about the snowbirds. They fly from show to show. THe funny thing easch of those aircraft have a luggage compartment accessed through a hatch in the side of the nose. It's funny to see a pilot taking his luggage out on arrival.
Must be terrible to lose the entire Canadian Air Force in one accident...
It is sad to hear brave Canadians die. They need more up there.
Wow, no post is spared from this tripe, is it?
As of 1:05 EST, reports are still that both pilots ejected. No word on their condition yet.
They're always crashing. Those Tudors are deathtraps. As a matter of fact, the Snowbirds may be gone in a couple of years because service and maintanence costs are so high for these jets (state of the art in 1959. It would be funny if it wasn't so pathetic), and as they can't afford to buy new ones (even second-hand), they may cancel the whole program. Welcome to Canada, Land of the Free, home of the social-programs-are-more-important-than-being-able-to-defend-ourselves-or-at-least-contribute-to-those-who-do.
Good!
Still a good looking bird.
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