[MilCom] SNOWBIRDs Accident report

[domyers at voicenet.com]

OTTAWA – It was a manoeuvre Capt. Sean McCaughey had performed many times in his two
years with the Canadian Forces Snowbirds aerobatic team.

Flying inverted off the port wing of the No. 1 aircraft for a low, easy pass – it was
about as routine as flying upside down can get.

Except that, this time, McCaughey's seatbelt came unbuckled as he rolled his aged Tutor
jet belly-up.

An interim report by the panel investigating his death said McCaughey fell out of his
seat, lost control of his plane and crashed into the Montana soil 215 metres below.

McCaughey never ejected and died when his plane hit the ground at a U.S. Air Force base
in Great Falls on May 18. The investigation is focusing on how the lap belt became
unfastened, said a brief, four-paragraph summary released Monday.

Preventive measures have already been taken, it added, including modifications to the
pilot restraint system, changes to the aircraft operating instructions and yet more
training for aircrew and passengers.

The accident occurred about 22 minutes into the run-through, during a manoeuvre in which
the lead aircraft flies upright across the show line flanked by inverted aircraft off
each wing and one behind.

McCaughey was flying the No. 2 aircraft, off the lead's left wing.

"As SB 2 was rolling inverted for the ... pass, the aircraft was seen to dip low, waver,
and then depart the formation," the report said. "Still inverted, the aircraft climbed,
then subsequently rolled upright.

"Upon reaching a nearly wings-level attitude, at approximately 750 feet (215 metres)
above ground level, the aircraft nosed over."

It hit the ground near Malmstrom Air Force Base at about 45 degrees nose down, the
report said. McCaughey was killed on impact.

"Initial analysis has determined that the pilot's lap belt became unfastened when SB No.
2 rolled inverted, causing the pilot to fall out of his seat and lose control of the
aircraft."

Shows by the Snowbirds aerobatic team were suspended for a month. The team dedicated
their season to McCaughey, who was replaced by Capt. Paul Couillard, a veteran of five
seasons with the Snowbirds.

Defence Department officials did not answer telephone calls Monday.

A total of six Snowbirds pilots have died in accidents since 1972.