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Several F-4EJ Phantoms of 306 sqn, JASDF at Komatsu air base was demonstrating "touch and go" during an airshow in 1996.
When one of the Phantoms, an F-4EJ Kai 37-8322 touched down, the pilot chute opened. I do not know if this was a malfunction or human error. The pilot tried to take off with dragchute. I could hear the loud noise of the afterburner, but I could also see through the telephoto lens that the plane is not accelerating or gaining altitude at all because of the drag. I guess the pilot did not know that there is a dragchute.
I was monitoring the radio transmission between tower and the plane. The officer (I believe) from the tower shouted "Release Your Dragchute!"
The chute came off, and the Phantom seemed to immediately gain speed.
The following aircraft to touch down had to make a "go around" because the released dragchute fell on the runway.(Photo has been enlarged and cropped)
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It was cloudy on Sept 18, 1999 which was the 3rd day of the Reno airrace and I was almost giving up taking photos, but I did take a photo of "Miss Ashly II" N57LR during taxi before the race, and then after the race has started, had the camera on my lap.
I was not paying much attention to the race when a man sitting next to me shouted "Oh Shit !"
I saw some metal pieces in the air. By instant, I was taking a picture.
There were smoke coming up from ground, the fire engine and ambulance raced to the crash site.
Surprisingly the race continued on. I tried to find who is missing - and soon noticed that the twin propeller mustang-based aircraft, Miss Ashley II is missing.
Later on I found out the plane had fallen apart in mid air, it was a single aircraft accident and not a collision as I first thought, and the pilot, Gary Levitz must have died while still in the air.
Click here for a NTSB official docket of this accident (Opens new window)
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Reno, the next day after the crash, I was able to enjoy the show under blue sky.
Among the many wonderful performers that day were the Canadian Northern Lights whom displayed a wonderful and exciting show.
I was sure they've landed all right, but it is taking a long time to taxi back to the audience.
One of the aircraft, Extra 300 N305NL was being towed, and I could see the tail has been damaged badly - it collided with another aircraft. (with minor propeller damage)
Luckily nobody was injured. The following week at Stockton airshow, I saw the Northern Lights fly again, but it seemed they've rented an Extra 300 from somewhere as one of the aircraft was not in the Northern Lights' paint scheme.
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On Oct. 23, 1999, 2 weeks after the Reno airrace where "Miss Ashley II" crashed, I was at the airshow in Salinas.
(If you live in Northern California, mid-September to mid-October is very busy because there are so many good airshows nearby)
I have seen the Oracle Turbo Raven (Giles G-750 N17HE) at Reno and Stockton.
I already knew what the plane can do, which is really amazing, so even though this is the 3rd time, I was watching the demo flight very carefully as it is always so exciting.
It is piloted by an experienced pilot, Wayne Handley.
The plane was supposed to land from a loop. I have seen this at previous Reno and Stockton airshows.
But this time, right before touchdown, I noticed something wrong - it plunged right into the grass, few meters off paved runway.
Rescue units rushed to the crashed plane.
Everyone applause when there was an announcement "the pilot is waving in the cockpit"
Click here for a NTSB official docket of this accident (Opens new window)
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On May 23, 1997, Crosby Gee Bee Sportster, N11044 crashed few miles short of runway while approaching Watsonville airport for the airshow.
Luckly the pilot was able to walk away from the crash.
Click here for a NTSB official docket of this accident (Opens new window)
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The photo was taken on Sept. 28, 1995 from outside the fence of Hyakuri JASDF base.
One of the RF-4EJ (a photo reconnaissance Phantom modified from F-4EJ), 57-6374 of 501 Sqn. landed and passed in front of me, leaving a loud "Bang" noise and white smoke from the tire.
I soon noticed the plane had a flat tire.
Runway was immediately closed, and aircraft in the air were circulating over the nearby Kasumigaura bay.
This picture is taken when fire fighters and engineers are investigating the scene.
Soon the plane was towed back to hanger, and several JASDF people from base came to the runway with broom in their hands. This is to clean the scattered tires which may cause FOD.
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