[Alph]

Hi All,
I'm a fan of airshows.I've seen all the US/Canadian teams a dozen times over the years. A couple of years ago a Thunder bird had to punch out during practice at Mountain Home AFB Ida then a Blue Angel less than a month and now a Snowbird in Montana.What the Hell? It may be these aircraft are under so much heavy stress that just maintaining them isn't good enough. We know a lot of the aircraft are used when the team gets them and have a high safety standard but there is something the ground crews aren't seeing during their inspections. The Tutor is an old aircraft anyways and spends it's time in a Cold environment up in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan I dont' accept pilot error as these guys have top knotch experience! We'll see what comes of the what 's and why's of these last two mishaps. God bless these pilots!!!!
Alph

[flyXwire]

Well, I'm sure there's lots of things that could go wrong or happen (Murphy's Law comes to mind) which we do not have control over despite the best laid plans. Sooner or later,
it is bound to happen and it's just a matter of time. I know these guys are very professional performers and it just saddens me that things these DO happen, and they will happen
again!

Not a pilot error you say? You ever see the tragic disaster that occured from
the Italian Demonstration Team "Frecce Tricolori" in Germany back in the md 80's? From what I can recall, the stunt that led to the loss of life both from the pilots and audiences
on the ground was actually banned here by the FAA (because it was just too dangerous) when they performed at the Moffett Field, California.

[timbo]

I remember that incident well. It was all over the news.

Sometime later there was a program on the tellie about demo teams, and it actually had interviews with the Italians that collided and died. I'm not sure how much was done editorialy, but the impression that I was left with after watching that segment was one of overconfidence from the pilots that nothing would ever go wrong. This was in stark contrast to a number of other interviews from pilots of other teams.

Even the Red's have had a few mid-airs on the syncro pair. I don't think anyones died but they have lost a few Hawks that way. If that's not Pilot error then I don't know what is.

[Gort]

All I’ve gotta say is, these guys have pure guts. And brains. And good ol’ showmanship!!!

[Old Crow]

In my opinion, this simply reinforces what a dangerous business it is flying military aircraft. Pilots die every year flying routine training missions, so it should be no surprise that accidents, including pilot error, are inevitable, especially when one considers the more rigorous flying of the air demonstration teams. Human error, no matter the skill level and training, will always occur because we are just that- human.

In fact, given the increased risk factor of the air demonstration teams, it seems they are safer than what one might otherwise expect.

All I’ve gotta say is, these guys have pure guts. And brains. And good ol’ showmanship!!!

Could not agree more with you on this, Gort.

[STARMAN 352ND]

I feel really bad for Capt.Shawn McCaughey's family right now...This happened at the worst time too.
What so very sad is the next day on Saturday was his fiancee Bridal shower which also happened to be her birthday
and they were to be married June 9 2007.
From what i understand the team had been in the air for 45min when they were flying upside down in a four man formation-broke from the cluster of Snowbirds and hurtled 300 feet to the ground.
He was the pilot of Snowbird # 2..
Prayers are with the familes at this time.
JP

Here is a newspaper clip from the Record Searchlight.