RAF Red Arrows pilot killed in ejector seat tragedy. + Question.

D

-danr-

Vice Admiral
For anybody unfamiliar, the Red Arrows is an aerobatic display team made up of specially chosen fighter pilots from within the Royal Air Force. They're known internationally for their red, blue and white (Union Jack) coloured smoke trails and impressive low level formation displays.

They're widely regarded as a national treasure.

In August, Flt Lt. Jon Egging was killed when his jet came down near houses shortly after a display, the first Red Arrows fatality since 1988.

...and today, this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-15640104

Another tragedy, RIP to the passed and condolences to the family.

All of this however, has me thinking, and speculating. The details of the death aren't confirmed yet, but the article says the pilot was ejected from the Hawk while it was on the ground. The BAE Hawk isn't the newest fighter in the airforce, it's been used however as a trainer since the 70's and undergone a number of avionic and mechanical updates.

Nevertheless, for decades, fighters have been fitted with ejector seats that function from zero feet (0 ASL). Does anybody know if the Hawk is an exception? Unless the aircraft was moving, (or god forbid, he wasn't strapped in) - an ejection from the ground should be survivable.

Guess it will all depend on variables, we've no idea what happened yet.
 
While it is true that modern ejection seats are considered "0/0" (they can be safely used while the aircraft is on the ground and stopped), ejecting from an aircraft is never a foolproof maneuver. We don't know all the details about the accident, but from the reports of a damaged canopy, its possible that whatever mechanism blows the canopy clear when the ejection seat fires may not have functioned properly, and the pilot was killed when his head smacked against the canopy when the seat fired. On many aircraft, explosive bolts will blow the entire canopy clear, while others have a ram on the top of the chair that is designed to safely shatter the canopy as the seat goes through it.
 
Being a member of the RAF I can say that he is very unkucky for a few reasons. Most of all being that the Hawk uses a system like the Harrier where the canopy isnt removed its blown up by the use of miniature detonating cord (MDC). The Mk 10 Martin Baker seat Is also used on Tornado aircraft but the headbox (part where the parachute is packed) sits above the head which has two prongs on top used for going through the canopy if the MDC fails. Im sure this feature is used in both aircraft. As for the newest fighter even the Typhoon isnt new anymore taks us way to long to bring anything into service. I also have a friend who is ground crew on the Reds he has told me a few things but for obvious reasons I cant share it untill its nade public.
 
I forgot to add my job was survival equipment in which I used to pack the parachutes for the ejection seats and help service them so I know a bit about it! lol :)
 
Funny thing is what killes goose in top gun would never of took place dont get me wrong im not saying its a load of **** as I really like top gun just wouldnt happen
 
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