Raptor01 Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 https://www.foxnews.com/us/pilot-dead-after-jet-crashes-in-california-desert-us-navy Always watch the YouTube videos of the Mach Loop at Star Wars Canyon and the loop in Wales and thought Wow, intense flying. Sad that we lost an aviator & 7 injured on the ground! More to come out of this story.😓 John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
southwestforests Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 Oh dear. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
camus27 Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 I was following this throughout yesterday. It sounded bad to begin with, but the pilot is now confirmed dead. It sounds like there really isn't anything left of the plane. Very sad. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Raptor01 Posted August 2, 2019 Author Share Posted August 2, 2019 (edited) For those not familiar, intense low level. Edited August 2, 2019 by Raptor01 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Camus272 Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 3 hours ago, Raptor01 said: For those not familiar, intense low level. Very low, considering the crash happened below the parking lot. Does anyone know if these flights are part of a mandatory training syllabus, or just free flight time that the pilots electively get to fly? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Murph Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 3 hours ago, Camus272 said: Very low, considering the crash happened below the parking lot. Does anyone know if these flights are part of a mandatory training syllabus, or just free flight time that the pilots electively get to fly? It varies between aircraft and services, but LOWAT events are generally a required part of a pilot's currency. Regards, Murph Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 Wonder if this accident will result in the end of these flights? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 7 minutes ago, 11bee said: Wonder if this accident will result in the end of these flights? Probably not the flights, but I could see them banning photogs from being on the ridge. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 (edited) 8 hours ago, Darren Roberts said: Probably not the flights, but I could see them banning photogs from being on the ridge. Here's a picture of the area where those tourists got hurt. Believe the jet impacted directly below them. Going to be tough to ban the public from getting onto that ridge to take pictures. Not like you can't just pull off the side of the road and walk 50' to the edge. Picture courtesy of "The Drive" Edited August 2, 2019 by 11bee Quote Link to post Share on other sites
picknpluck Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 (edited) That parking lot is on a State highway, outside the National Park boundaries. The Navy and/or the Nat'l Park Service have no say in shutting that down. On top of that, there are signs clearly displayed in that parking lot warning motorists of low-flying military aircraft so hopefully liability is minimal. I hope this area continues to see use. I was at Death Valley over Easter weekend and stopped by this lot...then I remembered it was Easter Sunday and nobody was flying. I hope to go back soon--it's about a six hour drive. Edit: I was mistaken..it IS just inside the National Park boundaries. Damn...still, 11Bee has a good point: so many spots to just pull off the road along that ridgeline. And it goes without saying, what an absolute tragedy for the aviator's family and squadron-mates. My most heartfelt sympathies go out to all involved. Edited August 2, 2019 by picknpluck Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Raptor01 Posted August 2, 2019 Author Share Posted August 2, 2019 https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/08/02/navy-identifies-incredible-super-hornet-pilot-killed-star-wars-canyon-crash.html 😓 John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 Sad news indeed. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. . Don Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darren Roberts Posted August 3, 2019 Share Posted August 3, 2019 11 hours ago, 11bee said: Here's a picture of the area where those tourists got hurt. Believe the jet impacted directly below them. Going to be tough to ban the public from getting onto that ridge to take pictures. Not like you can't just pull off the side of the road and walk 50' to the edge. Picture courtesy of "The Drive" That's interesting. I was reading an article about Star Wars Canyon and the author made it sound like it was difficult to get to. He was complaining that more and more people were coming and leaving their trash behind. That parking lot is literally right off the highway. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Raptor01 Posted August 3, 2019 Author Share Posted August 3, 2019 Been down CA 58 a few times, definitely need a good running vehicle, wide open and very warm during the day, opposite when the sun goes down. CA 190 is further east & more isolated, putting this on the bucket list with the the Tehachapi loop next time I drive to the left coast. John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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