Snowbird Crash in Montana - 18 May 2007 (fatal)

Edward Soye · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 8:28 pm

My appologies if this has already been raised in another thread, but I couldn't find any mention of it.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/05/ ... eport.html

Sad news, and not looking like a good year for the jet display teams considering this and the Blue Angels crash a short time ago.

Vulture · **Joined:** Tue Nov 07, 2006 11:44 pm **Posts:** 202

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/HTMLTemplate?tf=/ctv/mar/video/new_player.html&cf=ctv/mar/ctv.cfg&hub=TopStories&video_link_high=mms://ctvbroadcast.ctv.ca/video/2007/05/18/ctvvideologger3_179487337_1179534921_500kbps.wmv&video_link_low=mms://ctvbroadcast.ctv.ca/video/2007/05/18/ctvvideologger3_179487336_1179533760_218kbps.wmv&clip_start=00:02:05.22&clip_end=00:04:23.76&clip_caption=CTV%20Newsnet:%20Eyewitnesses%20describe%20the%20crash&clip_id=ctvnews.20070518.00195000-00195467-clip1&subhub=video&no_ads=&sortdate=20070518&slug=snowbird_070518&archive=CTVNews

AIRIC · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 10:15 pm

Ed, it sure is a sad start to the year for display teams. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Snowbirds and their families.

Eric

daveymac82c · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2007 12:27 am

I just read the article about the accident. It makes me really sad to see another pilot lose their life doing what they love.

From what it sounds like they haven't released any info on possible causes. All I can figure is possible mechanical failure in some elevator linkages. The fact that the plane was pulling up, and then pitched down with no visible recovery attemped leads me to think this. Or possible pilot incapacitation.

My thoughts are with Capt. Shawn McCaughey, his family, and his friends he is leaving behind.

I really hope this doesn't give more fire-power to the people wanting to disband the Snowbirds.

I have a friend who is working towards being a Snowbird and this makes me worry a little bit. First, the snowbirds are an aging airplane and there may be safer airplanes out there to use, but at the same time, this may spell the end of the Tutor being used in the Snowbird role, which would mean my friend might not get the chance to fly the Tutor.

Regardless, I hope this is the only instance of loss of life this airshow season.

-David

sabredriver · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2007 3:28 am

isnt this the lastest death in tutor? i thought they had a fatality last year also?

Jeff Hunt · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2007 7:25 am

Last Snowbird fatality was in 2004, Miles Selby. In total, 7 Snowbird pilots have lost their lives flying with the team since it's inception in 1971.

Jeff :cry:

RMAllnutt · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2007 7:48 am

Very sad news indeed. It has been a tough start on the airshow scene this year, hasn't it... that makes at least 4 crashes now in just the first month of the season.

I've always loved the snowbirds. They have perhaps the most enjoyable display I've ever seen. I do hope that they aren't axed. I seem to recall hearing that they would be switching to the Hawk in the near future, but I've always had a soft spot for the Tutor.

Richard

peter · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2007 10:04 am

Thoughts and prayers go out to Shawn and his family as well as all the Snowbird team and support staff at this time.

oscardeuce · **Joined:** Wed Jul 27, 2005 3:34 am **Posts:** 1021

God Speed

Misterg97 · **Posted:** Sun May 20, 2007 9:29 am

The Snowbirds appeared at the Dayton Air Show in 2003 along with the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds. It was the first time all 3 groups appeared at the same show. What a performance.

My first assignment following tech school was at Great Falls AFB, later to be renamed Malmstrom.

Prayers go forth to all.

Warbirdnerd · **Joined:** Fri Apr 30, 2004 7:34 pm **Posts:** 2943

Some interesting findings:
From ANN

Quote:

Preliminary Report Says Seatbelt Failure Caused Snowbird Accident Pilot Was Inverted When Lap belt Released

A preliminary report on the cause of a Canadian Snowbird
accident in Montana that claimed the life of its pilot said a
seatbelt failure is to blame.

As ANN reported, Capt. Shawn
McCaughey was lost when his CT-114 Tutor jet crashed near a Montana
air force base during a show rehearsal May 18. The report, released
Monday, said McCaughey lost control of the aircraft when
his lap belt unfastened while he was flying inverted.

"Initial analysis has determined that the pilot's lap belt
became unfastened when SB No. 2 rolled inverted, causing the pilot
to fall out of his seat and lose control of the aircraft," the
report states.

The investigation is now focusing on why.

McCaughey, flying the No. 2 aircraft, off the lead's left wing,
was apparently not able to eject and died on impact.

The maneuver the team was practicing at the time of the accident
required the lead aircraft to fly upright across the show line
flanked by inverted aircraft off each wing and one behind,
according to the Toronto Star.

"As SB 2 was rolling inverted for the . . . pass, the aircraft
was seen to dip low, waver, and then depart the formation," the
report said. "Still inverted, the aircraft climbed, then
subsequently rolled upright.

"Upon reaching a nearly wings-level attitude, at approximately
750 feet above ground level, the aircraft nosed over."

There have been some modifications made to the pilot restraint
system as well as enhanced training for aircrews and passengers and
changes to the aircraft operating instructions since the
accident.

Since 1972, six Snowbird pilots have been lost in accidents.
Many of the accidents have reportedly been caused by mechanical
problems. Some are saying the 1960s model Canadair CT-114 Tutors
should just be retired altogether, as their life expectancy is said
to be 2010; Canada's National Defense was told they should be
replaced four years ago.

The team suspended performances for a month after the accident,
and when they resumed dedicated the season to McCaughey
(above).

A five-season veteran, Capt. Paul Couillard, has been named as
the replacement.
FMI: www.snowbirds.dnd.ca

muddyboots · **Posted:** Tue Aug 21, 2007 4:14 pm

his lapbelt came undone and he fell out? good lord.

Toddb · **Posted:** Tue Aug 21, 2007 6:14 pm

muddyboots wrote:

his lapbelt came undone and he fell out? good lord.

When his lap belt became undone I'm sure he was somewhat restrained by the shoulder belts and crotch belt of the 5pt system

He certainly didn't fall out of the cockpit.

Todd

Eric Friedebach · **Posted:** Thu Aug 23, 2007 9:02 am

Link to Directorate of Flight Safety reporthere.

skybolt2003 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 23, 2007 9:37 am

Toddb wrote:

muddyboots wrote:

his lapbelt came undone and he fell out? good lord.

When his lap belt became undone I'm sure he was somewhat restrained by the shoulder belts and crotch belt of the 5pt system

He certainly didn't fall out of the cockpit.

Todd

From the report: "Initial analysis has determined that the pilot's lapbelt became unfastened when SB #2 rolled inverted, causing the pilot to fall out of his seat and lose control of the aircraft."
All the 5-point harnesses I've used have one point release. I believe certified planes in the aerobatic category are required to have an additional lapbelt (least-wise, the certified Pitts and Decathalons I've flown have it)

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Snowbird Crash in Montana - 18 May 2007 (fatal)

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