NATO training jets grounded after crashJOE FRIESEN
April 21, 2008
A crash that sent two pilots to hospital has led the Canadian Forces to shut down all flights of a NATO training jet.
The decision was prompted by the crash of a CT-155 Hawk in Saskatchewan Friday. The jet, used to train fighter pilots, slammed into the ground during an attempted landing at Canadian Forces Base Moose Jaw. It was being flown by Canadian Second Lieutenant Rock Veilleux and his flight instructor, German Air Force Major Frank Wagener.
The plane reported difficulties shortly after takeoff and was attempting an emergency landing. Both pilots managed to eject from the cockpit before impact and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Major Wagener was able to return home yesterday, while Lt. Veilleux remained in hospital, military spokeswoman Captain Genevieve Mitchell said.
The fleet of 19 CT-155 Hawks will be placed on what the military calls an operational pause until an investigation of the crash is complete. Investigators rushed to gather evidence at the scene yesterday before an anticipated snowfall arrived on the prairies.
Capt. Mitchell said they would be looking at things such as the angle of impact, and speaking to anyone who witnessed the crash to determine what went wrong.
"The operational pause will be ongoing until the flight safety team determines what caused the accident. Flying operations will resume once we are satisfied that there is no inherent risk," she said.
There is no estimate on how long the investigation may take, but Capt. Mitchell said preliminary reports are usually completed within 30 days. A final report might take a year or more. In the meantime, investigators will want to ensure there is no mechanical or electrical fault that could place pilots at risk.
The CT-155s are part of NATO Flying Training in Canada, a program split between Moose Jaw and Cold Lake, Alta., that brings together pilots and instructors from the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Austria, Hungary and Denmark and Canada. The Canadian pilots who complete 125 flying hours on the CT-155 eventually move on to fly the CF-18 Hornet.
Source
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080421.JETS21/TPStory/National
Back to Index
Move to Top 
