Posted on May 12, 2015

Navy fighter jet crashes in the Persian Gulf

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F/A 18 Crash in the Gulf. Thoughts?

Most likely a mechanical failure but we have to let the investigation run it's course.

Glad both pilots where recovered safely.
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Navy fighter jet crashes in the Persian Gulf

Posted from thehill.com

Posted in these groups: Hormuz strait

Persian/Arabian Gulf

Posted >1 y ago

Responses: 2

Suspended Profile

Posted >1 y ago

While I'm compelled to point out that one is a pilot and the other is a flight officer (that never used to bother me), it depends on how shortly after takeoff. If it was immediate, maybe the launch system failed in some way and they never got enough airspeed for takeoff. If it was several minutes later, it could be nearly anything, but you'd have to consider the possibility of fuel line issues (they lead to fires, which in short-order would cause engine failure). Or, heck, a complete failure of the fuel pump would flame out both engines. Who knows?

It seems clear that it was mechanical, but the question is exactly how quickly they ejected/splashed. Without specifics, it's hard to say what the problem could have been.

LT Michael Cavaggioni

>1 y

Most definitely. If it was due to the catapult, I don't know if the outcome would have been as good.

(0)

LT Michael Cavaggioni

>1 y

And yes, one was an NFO. I wonder why I cannot edit the original post.

(0)

Suspended Profile

>1 y

Well, you'd know it before you hit the end of the flight deck. All they're doing is putting hands on the rails and watching that airspeed indicator, looking for whatever number they need for their particular loadout. So, if it was the catapult, they probably pulled the handle at or slightly before the end of the flight deck, took a short ride, and became an easy SAR case.

If it was a few minutes later, only their personal testimonies will describe it, since the aircraft wasn't recovered for investigation.

Suspended Profile

>1 y

After thinking on it for a few minutes, I'm betting it was either off the launch or on climbout. That's about the only time you see ejections without major injuries, because you're not flying very fast. I think this might be my college roommate's squadron, so I'll probe him for juicy deets.