Guest Boeing guy Posted July 14, 2004 Share Posted July 14, 2004 Top Gun hits lamppost By JOHN KAY Chief Reporter AN RAF Top Gun pilot was facing the high jump last night — for flying so low he hit a lamppost. The ace clipped the airbase light at 54ft with a wing tip on his Jaguar attack jet while doing 600mph. He wrestled control of the crippled single-seater and headed straight out to sea from the coastal base in Cyprus. Ground crews went into a full-scale emergency — but the pilot swooped round over the Med and headed back to base before slamming the plane on a runway. RAF police immediately impounded the £25million Jaguar and the ace was grounded pending an investigation. He faces an official carpeting and court martial, which could cost him his wings. The Top Gun from RAF Coltishall, Norfolk, decided on a low-flying celebration run after completing a week’s hard training on bombing ranges near the base at Akrotiri. He was cleared by the control tower for the pass, but ordered NOT to go below 200 feet. The jet reached 500ft over the sea before turning for the run. But ground crew were horrified as it just kept getting lower and lower as it hit 600mph — before clipping the light stanchion on the edge of the plane parking area. The collision ripped off the left wing tip containing navigational lighting and wiring. Repairs could cost £2million. Investigating officers found the damage to the post was exactly 54ft above ground level. An RAF source said: “It is traditional to do a farewell ‘beat up’ of an airfield when you leave after a detachment. “The usual form is for the pilot to fly low over the base and waggle his wings. “If this Top Gun had not actually hit the light he would have got off with a severe rollocking. “As it is, he’s lucky to be alive. And he’ll be lucky to keep his wings if he is convicted at a court martial.” Another source said: “There is a public road to the beach just a mile away. “The Jaguar could easily have flipped over and exploded, scattering burning fuel for hundreds of yards.” Last night the Ministry of Defence confirmed: “There is an ongoing investigation into the incident.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest fingertrouble Posted July 14, 2004 Share Posted July 14, 2004 Where did you find this? I used to be an engineer on a Jaguar Sqn at Coltishall for 11 years and I'd be interested to find out if I know the numbskull!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Greener Posted July 14, 2004 Share Posted July 14, 2004 Is Mike Rondot still there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W5 Posted July 14, 2004 Share Posted July 14, 2004 I think the RAF Buccaneers that I chased around used to get nosebleeds at those altitudes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Starman Posted July 14, 2004 Share Posted July 14, 2004 He'll probably be court marshalled for flying without a nav light... Reminds me of a story I heard about a guy flying a Cherokee who was violated for low flying by the FAA after he reported damage to the leading edge from hitting a surf board! (true...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BigSkyGuy Posted July 17, 2004 Share Posted July 17, 2004 Wow, 54 ft. is awfully high. I remember the gold ole days flying green helos when we would get the intial airspace briefing and ordered not to fly above 50ft for the next 2 months! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest fingertrouble Posted July 19, 2004 Share Posted July 19, 2004 Is Mike Rondot still there? Mike left the RAF shortly after we returned from the 1st Gulf War. When I left England in 1997, he owned his own Art Gallery. He is an amazing aviation artist, have you seen any of his work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest fingertrouble Posted July 19, 2004 Share Posted July 19, 2004 Wow, 54 ft. is awfully high. I remember the gold ole days flying green helos when we would get the intial airspace briefing and ordered not to fly above 50ft for the next 2 months! Somehow I don't think those green helos were ever doing between 300-450 kts at 50 feet though....not much time to correct a mistake when you sneeze! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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