Posted on 07/11/2005 3:12:09 PM PDT by F14 Pilot
Canadian Forces officials are trying to figure out what caused a fighter jet to lose a piece of its wing during a flyby over Toronto on Sunday.
The CF-18 jet was one of two participating in the kickoff to the Molson Indy auto race, flying over tens of thousands of spectators.
Luckily, the metre-long piece splashed into Lake Ontario. Although the lake was dotted with boaters, no one was hurt.
The part, identified as the nose door to a luggage pod under the wing, was recovered by the Toronto police marine unit.
It appears the incident was caused by a mechanical malfunction, said Captain Julie Roberge of Canadian Forces Base Bagotville in Saguenay, Que., where the fighter is based. A flight safety investigation has been called.
The incident didn't ground the jet, since the piece isn't critical to the aircraft's performance. The pilots flew the jets back to Quebec yesterday afternoon to be examined.
While it may seem strange for a fighter jet to carry luggage, pilots on ceremonial duties like to take along some luggage as there is no room in the single-seat cockpit, Roberge said.
The oblong pod on the underside of the jet's wing would not likely be flown into combat; it can be replaced with bombs or a fuel tank for long missions.
The jet is one of the oldest of Canada's 104 operational CF-18s; it was among the first batch to be delivered in 1982.
It was unclear if any luggage was lost in the incident, which Roberge called "quite unusual."
A year ago, a CF-18 on approach to Yellowknife airport dropped a missile on the driving range of a local golf course. The missile was live, but the safety mechanism was on.
Time to have a quiet chat with the crew chief.
Hmmmm...
Kinda funny in some ways, but not out of the ordinary.
When I was at Nellis in the early 70s, there used to be a string of junk from the end of the NE end of the runway all the way past US93 and onto the dry lakebed beyond -- as "stuff" fell off the A/C - doors, panel covers, all kinds of stuff. The odd F-111 or F105 would park out there as well.
Now-a-days folks are better trained, I think, and the A/C are much better to begin with.
Normal. You arrive at Saguenay, your luggage ends to at Toronto.
that wasn't the stars and cars of IndyCar but it's ugly red headed step child champcar
C'mon now, really. Just how many fighter pilots would fly into combat with a case of Molson's?
(beat)
Or is that a loaded question?
;-)
I'm sure Prime Minister Martin's first response was... “Well... they do have two wings... don't they?!”
I wouldn´t mind stuffing his liberal, wishy-washy corrupt ass into a fuel pod then take him up about 40,000 feet.
Levante... you from up der ey?
Hi Johnny 7:
Actually, I'm from the midwest (US) but have an uncle and several cousins from Canada. One was a Major in the Canadian Engineers. I've always been interested in Canada and Canadians, and it just burns me what the liberals have done to Canada's fine military.
Regards,
Levante
It's a shame what Canada has let itself become.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.