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Ramon:
During a display of the USN Blue Angels at Leeuwarden, the Netherlands in 2006. One of the F-18's punctured a tire during take-off, the aircraft calmly returned to base with arrestor hook deployed. Made a arrested landing at the beginning of the runway, pilot got out of the aircraft, got into a van and was dropped at the spare aircraft. In the meantime the "punctured" F-18 was pulled from the runway, and 10 minutes later the spare F-18 was already in take-off. After this the show continued as planned. With this action the Blues showed to me that they are a real professional display team with balls, and keeping in mind that the show has to go on. Instead of cancelling the whole display, or flying a display with less aircraft as planned.

Just my humble opinion.
A Blues hooligan ;)   

Webmaster:
TB, well I'd imagine, somewhere on the web somebody must have posted more info on that IFE.

Regarding the BA at EHLW, I'd rather had them fly with one less aircraft, as I remember it took ages because the runway needed to be swept first, and then the spare had to hook up with the remainder of the formation. Looking at my photos, it took 40 minutes altogether. I can't remember if something was supposed to fly after them, but if there was, it was cancelled. Nevertheless I was happy the show did go on, and the display was amazing (but next day had better weather, and no puncture).

I always have this picture to remember it, a very lucky shot of the puncture happening, excuse me if I've already posted this:

Ramon:

--- Quote from: Webmaster on April 23, 2011, 03:41:12 AM ---TB, well I'd imagine, somewhere on the web somebody must have posted more info on that IFE.

Regarding the BA at EHLW, I'd rather had them fly with one less aircraft, as I remember it took ages because the runway needed to be swept first, and then the spare had to hook up with the remainder of the formation. Looking at my photos, it took 40 minutes altogether. I can't remember if something was supposed to fly after them, but if there was, it was cancelled. Nevertheless I was happy the show did go on, and the display was amazing (but next day had better weather, and no puncture).

I always have this picture to remember it, a very lucky shot of the puncture happening, excuse me if I've already posted this:

--- End quote ---

Hey Niels,

In my mind it was only a short time the BA F-18 was again in take-off, but you have photographic evidence, and can recall the exact time. The Blues was the final display of that day, but I was happy they took the time to get the spare into the air. It makes the show so much nicer and larger with more "bugs" in the air.

Regards, Ramon  :) 

Webmaster:
@ Ramon
Yeah it was the last act for the day, looking at Saturday there was nothing that followed them and it also ended around 1630 hrs. I thought last display had always been 1630-1700 hrs, but apparently that's only in recent years. So nvm, glad they got the spare up.

@ F-111 C/C
I found some comments on the web. It was a hydraulic failure, it apparently landed without brakes (but runway was long enough to manage without hook/cable), and someone said there was a large puddle of hydraulic fluids under the jet. So that explains the emergency services and towing.

Would the wheelbrakes still be fine if it was the airbrake?
 

F-111 C/C:
Thanks Niels! That does explain everything.
Your airbrake joke reminds me of Bugs Bunny using the "airbrake" and stopping the plane about 5 feet from the ground then jumping out. If only. :P

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