EMD_DRIVER
Gerrardstown, WV
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We had a greyhound meet and greet at the Martinsburg, WV air national guard's "Thunder over the blue ridge" air show. We were in hangar 308, with the dogs. Around 2:30pm today, I walked out the front of the hangar and watched the T-28 Trojan horsemen demonstration team. Five or so minutes later, two of the aircraft passed belly-to-belly. The westbound aircraft did a partial roll and then went down in a ball of fire. The pilot's name was Jack "Flash" Mangan, from North Carolina. The remaining five aircraft in the team circled the airport a few times, and were diverted to a nearby airport. As they turned north, they formed a missing man formation and left the area. Please keep the pilot's family, as well as the other pilots in the team in your thoughts and prayers..
Here's the pilot and his plane, shortly before taking off for the demonstration.
The crash and response...
The investigation begins..
Here's the official press release, from the ANG.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE, 167th AIRLIFT WING
WEST VIRGINIA AIR NATIONAL GUARD, MARTINSBURG, WV 25401
TELEPHONE NUMBER (304) 616-5251
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Civilian Pilot Dies When Aircraft Crashes
at Thunder Over the Blue Ridge Air Show
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. – A T-28 aircraft crashed at about 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, during an acrobatic demonstration at the 2011 Thunder Over the Blue Ridge Open House & Air Show hosted at the 167th Airlift Wing in Martinsburg.
The aircraft was piloted by a single civilian pilot, who died as a result of the crash. The plane was a T-28 aircraft with the Trojan Horse T-28 demonstration team, a civilian aerobatics group that tours the nation performing at air shows.
Pending confirmation of notification of next of kin through official channels, no identifying information will be released.
No one on the ground was injured as a result of the incident, and no other aircraft were damaged. The crash site was distant from any spectators.
The incident is under investigation by federal and local authorities, who are now in control of the scene.
“We were fortunate that the safety measures put in place by the Federal Aviation Administration ensured the safety of those on the ground,” said Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, adjutant general of the West Virginia National Guard. “Right now our thoughts and prayers are with the family members of the deceased.”
* This post was
edited 09/17/11 06:35pm by an administrator/moderator *
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d3500ram
colorado
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Wow.
I am not an airplane person. In fact I know nothing about airplanes beyond basic physics. I ask in total ignorance, but is this T-28 plane that crashed an older one? It appears that way in the first photo to a total novice.
Are these planes what would be considered antiques? Could these older ones be having these incidents because they are beyond their "normal" stresses for safe flying anymore.
Airplane hobbies of any sort do not appeal to me, but is it possible that with even the most meticulous mechanics and airmen that perhaps these types of plane should be in the museum instead if the air?
Believe, I am not asking this because I want to see a new regulation limiting airshows. I can and do appreciate faithful restorations and actually the using vehicles! (I prefer the 2 and 4 wheel kinds.) ...And I am sure that these planes are safe...but...
...I ask the question because I really do not know airplanes... but do remember some basic physics. Just how well can these older planes be restored for their intended use?
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Gene&Ginny
North Kingstown, RI
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So sorry to see a tragic event like that and the loss of a pilot. 
d3500ram, rest assured that these planes when rebuilt pass a rigorous FAA inspection. Air Show pilots, military and civilian, are very particular about doing their own inspections as well as having their ground crews inspect and maintain the planes in top condition.
Gene and DW Ginny
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Engineer9860
Eagle Scout dad
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There is the one thing missing from the Reno disaster.......fire. Had the P-51 exploded in a ball of fire like that the outcome would have been WAY more tragic. Burns with blunt force trauma, I can only imagine.
To answer an earlier poster: This T-28 was built in the 1950s according to FAA registrations. And as far as older (vintage) aircraft are concerned, they do receive closer scrutiny as far as age related deterioration goes. Older aircraft are more closely looked at in the areas of corrosion, and airframe stress.
A few years back the FAA issued an airworthiness directive that affected all flying B-17s. All aircraft of this type had to be inspected for corrosion in the wing spar area before the FAA would renew their airworthiness certificate. One B-17 in particular was grounded for a few years while the repairs were made to damage resulting from excessive corrosion.
Engineer9860's commentary: Despite the unforgiving nature of airplane disasters, and the potential for mass incidence, aviation, and airshows are some of the safest forms of transport/entertainment. I have been to 100s of aviation related venues, and as of yet, I have not seen my first drop of spilled human blood. Please people, apply some common sense to these news stories, and resist the temptation to overreact to the human tragedies.
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Gene&Ginny
North Kingstown, RI
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I agree with Engineer9860's commentary and comments. I live a couple of miles from what was Quonst point NAS and there was one Blue Angles crash back in the 50s during the air show. That is a long time ago. The Air National Guard has been sponsoring air shows since Quonset closed and they have an excellent safety record.
BTW: great photos by EMD_DRIVER
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d3500ram
colorado
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Engineer9860 wrote:There is the one thing missing from the Reno disaster.......fire. Had the P-51 exploded in a ball of fire like that the outcome would have been WAY more tragic. ...
Novice question alert:... Why was there no fire. Is it the type of fuel used? Was there not much fuel left in the plane at that time of the race? What conditions would make for a "no fire" crash? Most I hear of do involve flames.
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Engineer9860
Eagle Scout dad
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I cannot explain why the Reno P-51 didn't burn. I know little about the Reno racers, but it is safe to assume that since this was an unlimited class that the Mustang was carrying a minimum of fuel. I would think they had calculated the absolute minimum amount of fuel to save weight, and possibly the P-51 was at the end of it's fuel run so maybe no more than a gallon or two remained.
Based on the description of the crash, and the description of the remains of the aircraft, I also have to assume that it would be impossible to build a fuel cell that wouldn't have been destroyed in this crash. With that assumption in mind I will conclude that he was down to his last 1~2 gallons of fuel. Even then, a small amount like that should have ignited.
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msmith1199
Central, CA
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Engineer9860 wrote:I cannot explain why the Reno P-51 didn't burn. I know little about the Reno racers, but it is safe to assume that since this was an unlimited class that the Mustang was carrying a minimum of fuel. I would think they had calculated the absolute minimum amount of fuel to save weight, and possibly the P-51 was at the end of it's fuel run so maybe no more than a gallon or two remained.
Based on the description of the crash, and the description of the remains of the aircraft, I also have to assume that it would be impossible to build a fuel cell that wouldn't have been destroyed in this crash. With that assumption in mind I will conclude that he was down to his last 1~2 gallons of fuel. Even then, a small amount like that should have ignited.
He was on the third lap when the crash happened and I think there were quite a few more to go. The P-51 stock burns a huge amoung of fuel. This modified one burned even way more. I think it's safe to assume there was way more than 1 to 2 gallons on board. Why it didn't burn, who knows. It was likely just luck.
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msmith1199
Central, CA
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It's not necessaily the age of these aircraft. You'll notice that newer military planes also often crash. A Stealth fighter even crashed at an airshow. The main cause is these guys are pushing the envelope. When you live on the outter edge like that then these things are going to happen. These pilots realize the risk they are taking every time they get in one of these planes.
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coolbreeze01
Redding, Ca
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Actually, a miracle the P-51 didn't burn. Not every crash involves fire, but most do.
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