http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/West/09/14/i ... index.html
http://www.idahostatesman.com/News/story.asp?ID=49171
MOUNTAIN HOME - Spectators expressed shock after the crash and explosion of an Air Force F-16 at the “Gunfighter Skies 2003” airshow on Sunday.
"It started dropping like he had no control,” said Roy Means of Boise. “I was extremely mystified.”
Marc Auth of Boise said at first he didn’t realize the jet was about to crash.
"My first impression was that it was a low speed pass except that something wasn’t right,” Auth said. “When it exploded, it was surreal.”
The crash happened about 3:15 p.m. shortly after the Air Force Thunderbird demonstration started. The plane was the 6th and last to take off.
The pilot, Capt. Kris Stricklin of Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, safely ejected from the aircraft and was treated by military medical personnel. No other injuries were reported.
Public Affairs Officer Lt. Lucas Ritter said no details were immediately available, and the crash would be investigated.
The aircraft, valued at about $18.8 million, crashed near the air control tower and slid in a fiery ball across an open field.
Show organizers estimated the crowd to be in the tens of thousands, but had not tabulated an exact count.
It appeared the pilot attempted to keep the plane from crashing near spectators, said John Avery, an Airman First Class stationed at Mountain Home.
"He went up and did a loop and the plane came down. I was saying to myself ‘pull up, pull up,’ and that was it,” Avery said. “He’s brave.”
George Avery, visiting his son from New Orleans Louisiana, said the crowd seemed frozen when the aircraft crashed.
"Nobody moved until after they announced that the airshow was finished,” Avery said. “I was amazed how quiet everyone was as they were leaving."
The Thunderbird demonstration was the final event of the day.
Edited by - MrMudd on Sep 14 2003 8:13 PM
Edited by - MrMudd on Sep 14 2003 8:58 PM
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
