Nellis F-16 is fourth incident in two days

The Thunderbirds just released an official statement that a Team pilot was killed early today in an accident near Nellis.

A U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds pilot was killed when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed over the Nevada Test and Training Range today at approximately 10:30 a.m. during a routine aerial demonstration training flight. The identity of the pilot is being withheld for 24-hours pending next of kin notification. An investigation is being conducted into the cause of the mishap.



The team’s participation at the March Air Reserve Base “The March Field Air & Space Expo” has been cancelled. It is unknown how this accident will impact the remainder of the 2018 Thunderbirds Season.



More information will be provided as it becomes available.

www.nellis.af.mil...

We do need to differentiate between a plane flying from point A to point B versus the more shall we say challenging things that the military does.

Are we supposed to believe that a Thunderbird receives poor maintenance?

a reply to: gariac

There has been a lot more than just the Thunderbird crash today going on in the last two days. Some of which almost certainly WAS related to the ongoing maintenance issues. Four incidents in two days, including three crashes, and you're going to tell me that they aren't going to end up being maintenance related, at least partially.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: gariac

There has been a lot more than just the Thunderbird crash today going on in the last two days. Some of which almost certainly WAS related to the ongoing maintenance issues. Four incidents in two days, including three crashes, and you're going to tell me that they aren't going to end up being maintenance related, at least partially.

I will wait for the investigation results rather than blame a lack of MX.

Now a series of identical airframes involved in similar mishaps would be worth the pontification.

The pilot was identified as Maj Stephen Del Bagno. He flew the slot position, in Thunderbird #4.

Maj. Stephen Del Bagno is the Slot Pilot for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, flying the No. 4 jet. He is a 2005 graduate of Utah Valley State University, and commissioned from Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. in 2007. Before joining the Air Force, Del Bagno was a civilian flight instructor, corporate pilot, skywriter, and a banner tow pilot. He enjoys snowboarding, water sports and spending time with family and friends. Prior to joining the Thunderbirds, Del Bagno served as an F-35A Evaluator Pilot and Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, 58th Fighter Squadron, Eglin AFB, Fla. He has logged more than 3,500 total flight hours in over 30 different aircraft, with 1,400 hours as an Air Force pilot. Del Bagno is in his first season with the team and hails from Valencia, Calif.

airshowstuff.com...

This was the first fatal crash for the team since all for Diamond pilots were killed on a training flight in 1982.

RIP...

One of four Marines killed in the El Centro crash has been identified by family as Lance Cpl Taylor Conrad, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The helicopter was reported to be practicing desert landings at the time of the crash.

www.msn.com...

The crew from the California CH-53 crash have been identified.

www.3rdmaw.marines.mil...

The Iwo Jima and 26th MEU have stood down, and cancelled the remainder of the Alligator Dagger exercise. Eyewitnesses said the AV-8B that crashed raised the nose too quickly, causing the pilot to lose control.

news.usni.org...

Airandspaceshow.com has released the name of the F-16 Thunderbird pilot. Unfortunately all I have is a facebook link.

m.facebook.com...

Did see Z's previous post.

A sad week for military aviation.

crap, man those ch-53's are my favorite....

The 33rd Fighter Wing, where Maj. Del Bagno was a StanEval pilot for the F-35 paid tribute to him today by putting his name on an aircraft, and performing a max performance climb at almost 500 knots.

Media Magik released this video in tribute.

Maj. Nick Krajicek has rejoined the team to fill the #4 position. Maj. Krajicek flew slot for the team in the 2016-2017 seasons. They have cancelled their performances at Fort Lauderdale, and Charleston to allow him time to get back up to speed. They will evaluate Laughlin and Hampton Roads as they get him back up to speed.

a reply to: Zaphod58

A friend of mine worked the 82 crash at Nellis I believe. one of his first jobs to plot out the wreckage right after he enlisted.

a-10 crash due to pilot error

The Thunderbirds have just announced that they've been cleared to return to performing. Their first show is at Hampton Roads.