Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al

Mostly aviation safety, with an appearance on Mayday - ACI: deviations include auto racing, true crime, and whatever I feel like.

[Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al @OnDisasters]

Breaking - LATAM A320 fire today in Lima(Peru). No info on casualties at the moment @aero_in

[AEROIN @aero_in]

#BREAKING

Imagens impressionantes que chegaram do Aeroporto de Lima mostram fogo saindo do motor de um Airbus A320ceo da LATAM Peru

As chamas também atingiram o pneu e as asas da aeronave

Sem informações de feridos até o momento

@OnDisasters

[Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al @OnDisasters]

US Marines CH-53 crashed in Mindoro island (Philippines) OTD in 1977. 24 of 37 aboard die. Helicopter was taking part on an amphibious exercise when it plummeted off a cliff and fell from a height of around 400 ft, into the jungle below.

More accidents from October 21 below, including the Soviet Air Force showing its level, one of the worst air disasters in Greece; likely the most bizarre civilian shotdown in history and another UFO incident in England

➡️ 1989: a Turkish Government BN-2 on a photo mapping flight is shotdown by Syrian Mig-21 fighters over Hatay (Turkey). All 5 aboard die. The military pilots had disregarded orders and the Syrian Government apologized to the victims of the "painful incident".

Aircraft was operated by the “Tapu Kadastro Genel Müdürlügü”, roughly translated as “General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadaster”

➡️ 1972: Olympic Airways Flight 506, a YS-11, crashes in Athens (Greece). 37 of 53 aboard die. On approach at night and bad weather, plane hit sea 3 mi from shore in CFIT. Based on available evidence, investigators could not determine cause: visibility was likely a factor.

➡️ 2009: Azza Transport Flight 2241, a cargo B-707, crashes in Sharjah (UAE), all 6 aboard die. On take-off, #4 engine core cowl fell, providing erroneous info to crew, who lost control of jet attempting to return. Inquiry found severe maintenance issues with the operator.

➡️1987: Soviet AF Kabul Airport Collision (Afghanistan), involving a An-12 and a Mi-24, a total of 24 dead. On take off run, plane hit helicopter. Inquiry pointed ATC issues: both flights were assigned the same number and were cleared for takeoff almost simultaneously.

➡️ 1952: Little Rissington UFO incident (Gloucestershire, England). A RAF Meteor, based in L. Rissington airbase, on a training flight, reports sighting of 3 “Flying Saucers”, confirmed by ground radar. Two jets are scrambled to intercept the UFO´s but fail to make contact.

➡️2016: a Skol Mi-8 crashes in Yamal (Russia). 19 of 22 aboard die. Accident occurred attempting an emergency landing at night, following a fuel problem. Inquiry noted crew actions, issues with the airline organization and others.

➡️ 1948: a French Air Force B-26 on a transport flight crashes off Melilla (Morocco) All 17 aboard die. Aircraft went down on the Mediterranean, some 9 miles from ap des Troys-Fourches,. More info on this occurrence is appreciated.

[Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al @OnDisasters]

A French Mirage 2000D two seater crashed yesterday near Nancy AFB. One of the two crew was killed, the other was able to eject. First reports state accident occured on approach, under severe weather, during a training mission. 📸 crusader752 via Flickr

[Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al @OnDisasters]

No, no crash landing: this was intentional

This video often goes viral as "CRASH LANDING". This maneuver, albeit risky, was not improvised. Interflug donated an Il-62 for a memorial in a field, and they moved the jet there by landing (which they did safely - the crew was experienced, studied the best way to do it, etc etc... )

[Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al @OnDisasters]

Gulfstream G200 had a runway excursion on landing at Toluca (Mexico). No reports of any injuries ATM

[Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al @OnDisasters]

@TomcatJunkie They could at least use some miniatures

[Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al @OnDisasters]

Deadliest aircrash in Central America

OTD in 1989: Tan-Sahsa Flight 414, a B-727, crashes in Tegucigalpa (Honduras),127 of 146 aboard die. Jet impacted ground on approach. Crew did not follow the prescribed “step-down” procedure, descending in a profile “well below” what was standard maneuver.

[Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al @OnDisasters]

Also on this date, one of those accidents that doesn´t happen only in Russia, but mostly in Russia

October 2014: a corporate Falcon 50 crashes in Moscow. All 4 aboard die, including Christophe de Margerie, CEO of Total Oil. On take-off at night, in fog, aircraft hit a snowplow that had stopped on the runway.

The inquiry noted severe flaws on airport supervision, including that the snowplow operator was drunk

As a result of the investigation, the airport chief executive of Russia's Vnukovo airport and his deputy resigned.

Aircraft [Registration F-GLSA] was operated by Unijet - a company specialized in VIP operations – as Unijet Flight 074

[Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al @OnDisasters]

@GuillermoGrnch I did not know that one. I´ll go look for more info

[Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al @OnDisasters]

OTD - the “Valentich Incident”

October 21 1978: a private Cessna 172 flown by student pilot Frederick Valentich on a solo flight, disappears over Bass Strait (Australia). Nor plane nor pilot were ever found, cause officially unestablished, but likely spatial disorientation. A confusing last radio call led to speculation of UFO encounter.

The “Valentich Incident” was featured on the Documentary Series Unsolved Mysteries, hosted by Robert Stack – full episode here https://t.co/1Wc4kIdDeI

[Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al @OnDisasters]

@TakeThatClouds @aero_in You mean newscasters got it wrong?

[Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al @OnDisasters]

Update - Video showing moment of impact of the Cessna that crashed in San Jose (CA) yesterday, in tthe the middle of a urban road intersection. Three people were hurt. @aero_in 📹ℹ️ ABC 7

[Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al @OnDisasters]

Not the usual traffic light mishap - A Cessna 177 crashed in the middle of an intersection of a four way, yesterday in San Jose (CA). 3 people injured. Accident occurred attempting an emergency landing shortly after takeoff. (Operator "Flying Twenty Inc" Reg. "N30544"

[Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al @OnDisasters]

@HeavyJetPilot @AlainBaron747 As a mate remarked "they have been maxxing it for decades now"

[Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al @OnDisasters]

Hopefully for the 737 MAX 10, this will not just be for spectacle... (demo at the 2022 Farnborough air show)

[Reuters @Reuters]

US set to announce certification of Boeing 737 MAX 10 Tuesday, sources say https://t.co/jK6PJKOoPZ https://t.co/jK6PJKOoPZ

[Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al @OnDisasters]

@Edward_767 @aero_in They must have cut it

[Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al @OnDisasters]

Hawk jet trainer crash update - UK media reported preliminary data on the inquiry, pointing, ground crew reportedly failed to refit the fuel cap" Accident occurred on Sep 23, both crew ejected safely, they were able to steer jet away from a school before bailing out. @aero_in

[Fast Jet Performance 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 ✈️ @timdavies_uk]

Doomed RAF jet that crashed in fireball yards from homes was flying without fuel cap as base training branded 'shambles'

This does seem to be a very different RAF than what I was in.
https://t.co/15eJzKnX3Z

[Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al @OnDisasters]

@SquarelyV37473 Another for the "bass strait triangle" myth

[Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al @OnDisasters]

@hamm14933856 the @AviationSafety is the basis for this work. They have the most thorough database worldwide.

[Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al @OnDisasters]

Also on this date, one of those accidents that doesn´t happen only in Russia, but mostly in Russia

October 2014: a corporate Falcon 50 crashes in Moscow. All 4 aboard die, including Christophe de Margerie, CEO of Total Oil. On take-off at night, in fog, aircraft hit a snowplow that had stopped on the runway.

The inquiry noted severe flaws on airport supervision, including that the snowplow operator was drunk

As a result of the investigation, the airport chief executive of Russia's Vnukovo airport and his deputy resigned.

Aircraft [Registration F-GLSA] was operated by Unijet - a company specialized in VIP operations – as Unijet Flight 074

[Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al @OnDisasters]

@seufert O tempo de antena dado pelos media Portugueses às pessoas mais irrelevantes, medíocres e sem nada para acrescentar à sociedade merecia um case study. Fazem as Kardashians parecer o Einstein.

[Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al @OnDisasters]

@michaelshermer Doesn´t it amaze you that, with so much access to info these days, they still give the spotlight to these fraudsters?

[2001 Live @25YearsAgoLive]

Diego Maradona made his professional debut 25 years ago today aged just 15, and has become an international football legend since.

We wish him a happy retirement!

[Rich "Corky" Erie @RSE_VB]

#TomcatTails Number 87
#TomcatTuesday

“A Simple Level Turn to Downwind….Sort Of.”

“Snapper” Bull was one of my best friends and squadron mates in the VF-24 Renegades and the VF-101 Grim Reapers. He’d come to VF-24 sometime in 1994 as a former A-6 BN that had left the Intruder community as it was slowly de-commissioning squadrons.

We immediately hit it off and flew together quite a bit. He brought extensive knowledge of the Air-to-Mud mission just as the Tomcat community was ramping up that mission set. And he, like me, was a bit of a Liberty Risk in CONUS and overseas. The term “Liberty Risk” is normally used to designate Sailors that had conducted themselves in a……less than exemplary manner while on Liberty, shall we say.

So when Snapper and I went on Liberty, we’d typically have a really good time (just short of Law Enforcement being involved). And in a foreign country on Liberty it was something like this:

Corky on Liberty: “Uh oh.”
Snapper on Liberty: “Oh shit.”
Corky AND Snapper on Liberty: “Alert the consulate.”

At any rate, we flew together quite a bit and shared a similar “aggressiveness of spirit” in the jet. Nothing ever stupid, nothing ever unsafe, but if we faced a limit (speed, altitude, etc.) you’d find us snuggled up right against that limit.

We were on a cross country at one time, flying a VF-101 jet out of NAS Oceana to somewhere. One of the stops we’d filed for was some Air Force base, since AF bases typically had great turn around services. As we arrived near our destination and descended toward the Initial Point we were directed to switch to tower frequency and check in.

We were about 5 miles from the AF base descending toward 2,000 feet and the following conversation happens:

Snapper: “Tower, Rage 102 checking in, IP inbound for the overhead, request carrier break.”

Tower: “Roger that Rage 102, your cleared for the overhead. What’s the carrier break?”

<When landing at the carrier, you enter the pattern via the carrier break; 800 feet entry then 600 feet on the downwind leg to the approach turn.>

Snapper: “Tower, Rage 102, a carrier break is an 800-foot level turn to downwind.”

Tower: “Rage 102, copy that. Cleared for the carrier break.”

Snapper (to me): “It’s on tape…cleared weird dude.”

<I had already firewalled the throttles to military power as soon as the “d” sound in “cleared” was heard.>

This particular AF base, like many, was out in the boonies with miles of open land surrounding it, so I simply lowered the nose and got to about 450 knots and 800 feet a couple miles from the runway. Then I thought better of it. Breaking at 800 feet and descending to 600 feet is like two steps; kind of complicated. Maybe it’d be more safe if I just executed the break at 600 feet.

Hell, the 90° position is 450 feet. Let’s do it at 450 feet……ish. Meanwhile, Snapper has his arms on the canopy rail, just enjoying the show.

We came zorching over the runway wings back at 400 feet (ish) at about 450 knots. I took it all the way to mid field, so more people could enjoy the show… I mean be safety observers. A nice smooth parade roll left to 90° angle of bank, and lay on a punishing 6.5G pull as I went to full zone 5 on both engines, sweeping the burner cans across the entire airfield, bathing the base in the Sound of Freedom (and probably setting off all the car alarms in the parking lots).

Decelerate, speed brakes and wings out, gear down, flaps down, turn to final and land (right on the nice shiny white runway numbers to make some skid marks on them because we can). As we rolled out, tower called us:

Tower: “Rage 102, Tower.”

Snapper: “Go ahead, Tower.”

Tower: “That was……impressive. Cleared to switch ground.”

Yes, it was, Tower. Yes, it was.

[Buzz Patterson @BuzzPatterson]

Ever wonder how “lift” works and design? Pretty cool illustration.

[Francisco Cunha - ✈️ Aviation et al @OnDisasters]

Continuing the Halloween stories (and this one is scary for real... - ⚠️⚠️ content warning, this one might not be suitable for some readers)

Anyone who knew James Ruppert – the gentleman in the photos on the left – a simple welder from Ohio, would say there was nothing remarkable about him.

Of unassuming appearance, he was considered a quiet, modest, and even helpful person. He had no criminal record and liked to spend his nights at a nearby bar (which some of us can relate).

On March 30, 1975, Ruppert called the local police to report that “there had been a shooting” at his home, which was the same as his mother's.

When the authorities reached the scene, there were 11 dead: Ruppert's mother, his older brother, his sister-in-law, and eight nephews, aged between 17 and four years old – basically, everyone in the photo on the right, save for the mother, not shown there.

Authorities discovered that 44 bullets were fired, 40 of which hit the target. There was so much blood on the first floor that it flowed down to the ground floor through the floorboards.

The massacre lasted less than five minutes. No one in the neighborhood heard anything because the gun had a silencer.

It quickly became clear that Ruppert was the perpetrator of the crimes. The motives were varied, ranging from a very restrictive upbringing by his mother, his brother stealing his girlfriend, financial problems, and also mental health issues.

Ruppert ended up institutionalized for life – as a note, during the trial, one of the jurors passed away from a heart attack.

And now, what does this story have to do with Halloween and hauntings?

The house where the massacre took place was sold a few years later, and the family that occupied it didn't stay there for too long, leaving the house after reporting "strange noises and inexplicable voices at night"…