Astro 0 #1 June 22, 2005 A 'routine weather tracking mission'? AFX News Limited US spy plane crashes in southwest Asia, pilot killed - UPDATE 06.22.2005, 11:20 AM (Updating to add pilot killed, detail) BAGHDAD (AFX) - A US Air Force U-2 surveillance aircraft crashed in southwest Asia killing its pilot late yesterday, the military said in a statement released in Baghdad. 'The pilot completed flying a mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (in Afghanistan) and was returning to base when the crash occurred (late Tuesday),' the statement said. However, the military would not confirm the location of the crash, 'due to host nation sensitivities,' said US Major Kelley Thibodeau, a spokeswoman for US Air Force Central Command. He added: 'We have an ongoing investigation,'. newsdesk@afxnews.com bur-wai/txw/cw/ims Copyright AFX News Limited 2005. All rights reserved Source: http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/afx/2005/06/22/afx2106022.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YahooLV 0 #2 June 22, 2005 That sux! Probably had lots of time to go "damn, I knew that didn't sound right!" BSBD Thoughts to the familyhttp://www.curtisglennphotography.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Astro 0 #3 June 22, 2005 Pilot accounts from the 70's indicated that the aircraft was extremely difficult if not impossible to bail out from because of its cockpit design and planform dimensions. I wonder who or what this guy was tasked with surveying? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flifree 0 #4 June 22, 2005 i watched an incredibly detailed documentary on the u2 on the history channel. those guys have huge gonads. they referred to something called 'coffins corner' that they routinely fly in at working altitudes.....something like 10 knots from aerodynamic and engine stall? wow. they even have to get a car to talk them in on landing b/c there is virtually no visibility from the cockpit to the horizon. i just remember thinking that these pilots are the epitome of brave and truly push the limits. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpwally 0 #5 June 22, 2005 my bet would be China.....................smile, be nice, enjoy life FB # - 1083 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoseFallDown 0 #6 June 22, 2005 Quotemy bet would be China Could be. My bet is on Waziristan, not that we're likely to find out any time soon. Shimon-A! Whooo-Hoooo!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BGill 0 #7 June 22, 2005 Quote"The base was not identified, but military officials who have been briefed on the incident said it was returning to Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. ...The term Southwest Asia can be used by the military to include the Middle East." thats from nytimes.com. my guess is it actually was somewhere in the middle east, they just said southwest asia to leave it broad... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Astro 0 #8 June 22, 2005 Quotemy guess is it actually was somewhere in the middle east So we're monitoring Iran? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Astro 0 #10 June 22, 2005 Quotehell if i know Rhyme-rorry. Woof. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #11 June 22, 2005 That stinks. Yeah.............they won't say what they were up to because unless it is a NASA U-2 the mission will be classified. It's a "spy" plane. Yes they were watching someone. why in the world would anyone on DZ.com have a need to know. A US Air Force Pilot lost his life while attempting to complete his mission. Why don't we offer condolences instead of worrying about shit that is none of your business. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Astro 0 #12 June 22, 2005 QuoteWhy don't we offer condolences instead of worrying about shit that is none of your business. Get outta the sun and pour yourself a cold one dude Woof. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hackb431 0 #13 June 22, 2005 I second and third this. May whatever God he/she reports to take mecry upon thier soul. The sooner people get out of the military's way the sooner we can accomplish our mission.HackB A.K.A. "Puppy" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
outlawphx 1 #14 June 22, 2005 Sad news... My dad flew U2's for the Air Force for a bunch of years in the late 70's and early 80's. As a kid, I always thought it was cool to see him suited up in his "space suit" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites BikerBabe 0 #15 June 22, 2005 QuotePilot accounts from the 70's The U-2R and U-2S are very different aircraft than the original U-2s used in the 60s and 70s. As a matter of fact, they just went through a cockpit upgrade, as well. I've ridden in the landing chase car, too...the chase car is more because the U-2 only has two landing gear wheels (in line) and scraping a wingtip would be a very bad thing. The good news is that the AF only allows their very best pilots to fly U-2s, and there is an actual "try-out" process, as well. My favorite AF aircraft that's currently flying, not only because I worked on it... blue skies to the pilot. Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites freeflir29 0 #16 June 22, 2005 QuoteGet outta the sun and pour yourself a cold one dude I've had several this evening..........Thanks. I just get REALLY tired of all the arm chair/Monday Morning quarterbacking I hear from the states. It gets old. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Astro 0 #17 June 22, 2005 QuoteThe U-2R and U-2S are very different aircraft than the original U-2s used in the 60s and 70s. These were built or rebuilt in the 80's, right? QuoteI've ridden in the landing chase car, too...the chase car is more because the U-2 only has two landing gear wheels (in line) and scraping a wingtip would be a very bad thing. The "pogo's" detach on take off if I'm not mistaken. QuoteMy favorite AF aircraft that's currently flying, not only because I worked on it I'm a YF-12/SR-71 fan myself, though granted that bird's flying days are over for good. I'm still astounded that Kelly Johnson and his small crew were able to design the Blackbird (and its associated drones) using technology no more advanced than a slide rule. QuoteBlue skies to the pilot. Ditto and to his/her family as well. Woof. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Astro 0 #18 June 22, 2005 QuoteI've had several this evening..........Thanks. I just get REALLY tired of all the arm chair/Monday Morning quarterbacking I hear from the states. It gets old. I can only try and imagine the shit storm you're living in right now dude. But some local sheep tell me you may be headed home soon. Good luck and godspeed with that Woof! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites freeflir29 0 #19 June 22, 2005 QuoteBut some local sheep tell me you may be headed home soon. Good luck and godspeed with that Thanks bro. I swear............those sluts just can't keep their mouths shut! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Shark 0 #20 June 23, 2005 QuoteI've ridden in the landing chase car, too... Z-28s, right?! BSBD to the pilot and family. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JohnMitchell 16 #21 June 23, 2005 Quote Pilot accounts from the 70's indicated that the aircraft was extremely difficult if not impossible to bail out from because of its cockpit design and planform dimensions. Gary Powers got out okay. It has an ejection seat and the same basic cockpit as the F-104. Ejecting from any plane is always a little dicey. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Astro 0 #22 June 23, 2005 QuoteGary Powers got out okay. Yep. But 60's era Gary Powers didn't initiate the original ejection machinery - instead, he popped his windscreen manually and then stepped outside and deployed by manual ripcord. He was (rightly according to the prevailing pilot rumours of the day and since) concerned the CIA owner had influenced the U-2 cockpit design such that it would sever a pilot's legs during ejection thus circumventing interrogation in the event of a shootdown. The Company 'improved' the cockpit design after the Powers fiasco during the 70's to _ensure_ pilots couldn't get out alive (they changed the seat geometry and extended the viewing scope among other changes). Consider Operation Overflight: A Memoir of the U-2 Incident by Francis Gary Powers; Russian accounts add value. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Zenister 0 #23 June 23, 2005 QuoteQuoteI've ridden in the landing chase car, too... Z-28s, right?! el camino (no shit) at at least one site ....____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Astro 0 #24 June 23, 2005 Quoteel camino (no shit) at at least one site What color? Woof! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Ron 10 #25 June 23, 2005 Quotethey referred to something called 'coffins corner' that they routinely fly in at working altitudes.....something like 10 knots from aerodynamic and engine stall? At the altitude these things can fly the speed of sound is lower than at sea level, but the speed needed to fly is higer. The plane was not designed to fly fast, it relied on being high rather than being fast, so it was not built to handle supersonic flight. The "corner" was when the plane needed to fly fast to stay in flight, but got very close to supersonic. Flying slower would result in a stall and maybe a burnout, and flying faster would result in going supersonic and maybe breaking apart."No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
BikerBabe 0 #15 June 22, 2005 QuotePilot accounts from the 70's The U-2R and U-2S are very different aircraft than the original U-2s used in the 60s and 70s. As a matter of fact, they just went through a cockpit upgrade, as well. I've ridden in the landing chase car, too...the chase car is more because the U-2 only has two landing gear wheels (in line) and scraping a wingtip would be a very bad thing. The good news is that the AF only allows their very best pilots to fly U-2s, and there is an actual "try-out" process, as well. My favorite AF aircraft that's currently flying, not only because I worked on it... blue skies to the pilot. Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #16 June 22, 2005 QuoteGet outta the sun and pour yourself a cold one dude I've had several this evening..........Thanks. I just get REALLY tired of all the arm chair/Monday Morning quarterbacking I hear from the states. It gets old. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Astro 0 #17 June 22, 2005 QuoteThe U-2R and U-2S are very different aircraft than the original U-2s used in the 60s and 70s. These were built or rebuilt in the 80's, right? QuoteI've ridden in the landing chase car, too...the chase car is more because the U-2 only has two landing gear wheels (in line) and scraping a wingtip would be a very bad thing. The "pogo's" detach on take off if I'm not mistaken. QuoteMy favorite AF aircraft that's currently flying, not only because I worked on it I'm a YF-12/SR-71 fan myself, though granted that bird's flying days are over for good. I'm still astounded that Kelly Johnson and his small crew were able to design the Blackbird (and its associated drones) using technology no more advanced than a slide rule. QuoteBlue skies to the pilot. Ditto and to his/her family as well. Woof. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Astro 0 #18 June 22, 2005 QuoteI've had several this evening..........Thanks. I just get REALLY tired of all the arm chair/Monday Morning quarterbacking I hear from the states. It gets old. I can only try and imagine the shit storm you're living in right now dude. But some local sheep tell me you may be headed home soon. Good luck and godspeed with that Woof! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #19 June 22, 2005 QuoteBut some local sheep tell me you may be headed home soon. Good luck and godspeed with that Thanks bro. I swear............those sluts just can't keep their mouths shut! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shark 0 #20 June 23, 2005 QuoteI've ridden in the landing chase car, too... Z-28s, right?! BSBD to the pilot and family. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #21 June 23, 2005 Quote Pilot accounts from the 70's indicated that the aircraft was extremely difficult if not impossible to bail out from because of its cockpit design and planform dimensions. Gary Powers got out okay. It has an ejection seat and the same basic cockpit as the F-104. Ejecting from any plane is always a little dicey. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Astro 0 #22 June 23, 2005 QuoteGary Powers got out okay. Yep. But 60's era Gary Powers didn't initiate the original ejection machinery - instead, he popped his windscreen manually and then stepped outside and deployed by manual ripcord. He was (rightly according to the prevailing pilot rumours of the day and since) concerned the CIA owner had influenced the U-2 cockpit design such that it would sever a pilot's legs during ejection thus circumventing interrogation in the event of a shootdown. The Company 'improved' the cockpit design after the Powers fiasco during the 70's to _ensure_ pilots couldn't get out alive (they changed the seat geometry and extended the viewing scope among other changes). Consider Operation Overflight: A Memoir of the U-2 Incident by Francis Gary Powers; Russian accounts add value. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #23 June 23, 2005 QuoteQuoteI've ridden in the landing chase car, too... Z-28s, right?! el camino (no shit) at at least one site ....____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Astro 0 #24 June 23, 2005 Quoteel camino (no shit) at at least one site What color? Woof! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 10 #25 June 23, 2005 Quotethey referred to something called 'coffins corner' that they routinely fly in at working altitudes.....something like 10 knots from aerodynamic and engine stall? At the altitude these things can fly the speed of sound is lower than at sea level, but the speed needed to fly is higer. The plane was not designed to fly fast, it relied on being high rather than being fast, so it was not built to handle supersonic flight. The "corner" was when the plane needed to fly fast to stay in flight, but got very close to supersonic. Flying slower would result in a stall and maybe a burnout, and flying faster would result in going supersonic and maybe breaking apart."No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
