FROM: Randy Reinhardt
EXPLANATION: Randy is a pastor in Catonsville/Columbia, Maryland. From 1988 to 1990, Randy and wife Linda were pastors to Jeff & Joanne Pohlman when they lived there in Maryland. The friendship still lasts, thanks to the bond of Jesus. Randy is an Annapolis US Naval Academy grad. He and Jeff exchange military and airplane photos and stories once in a while. This is one such exchange. When Randy sent it out to a select group, one fellow (LeRoy Curtis) responded with this pithy comment, "Another pastor making 'other plans'." John Moreland ends up pastoring and counseling people in a group which he refers to as "Outside The Camp." This photo and Leroy's comment give you an idea of what it is like to indeed leave and be outside the camp. Fortunately, when most of us have left the camp, it didn't cost 20-million dollars J . The true story of the incident follows the photo.
A Thunderbirds accident report released by Air Combat Command Public Affairs LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (ACCNS) -- Pilot error caused a U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 aircraft to crash shortly after takeoff at an airshow Sept. 14 at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The pilot ejected just before the aircraft impacted the ground. According to the accident investigation board report released today, the pilot misinterpreted the altitude required to complete the "Split S" maneuver. He made his calculation based on an incorrect mean-sea-level altitude of the airfield. The pilot incorrectly climbed to 1,670 feet above ground level instead of 2,500 feet before initiating the pull down to the Split S maneuver. When he realized something was wrong, the pilot put maximum back stick pressure and rolled slightly left to ensure the aircraft would impact away from the crowd should he have to eject. He ejected when the aircraft was 140 feet above ground - just eight-tenths of a second prior to impact. He sustained only minor injuries from the ejection. There was no other damage to military or civilian property. The aircraft, valued at about $20.4 million, was destroyed. Also, the board determined other factors substantially contributed to creating the opportunity for the error including the requirement for demonstration pilots to convert mean sea level and above ground level altitudes and performing a maneuver with a limited margin of error.
