Aircraft
| EXCLUSIVE IMAGES |
| TRAPPED F-22 PILOT CUT FREE |
|
A fire crew had to cut open the canopy of a US Air Force Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor fighter with chainsaws on 10 April to free the pilot, who had been trapped inside for 5h. The Raptor stealth fighter, heralded as the most technologically-advanced fighter in the world, entered service in January after 19 years of development. Each jet costs around $134 million per unit. |
|
These exclusive photos, provided via the 1st Maintenance Group, show the event unfolding. |
|
On 10 April 2006 at approximately 08:15, aircraft 03-041 had a Red Ball for a canopy unlock indication. Attempts to clear the problems by cycling the canopy failed. The final cycling of the canopy resulted in it being in the down and locked position. The canopy would not cycle up from this position, trapping the pilot in the cockpit. The aircraft subsequently ground aborted. |
|
Stranded inside the Raptor's cockpit, the pilot had to be cut free. Langley AFB consulted Lockheed Martin and the F-22A system programme office to determine alternate methods to open the canopy and extract the pilot. |
|
After all maintenance options were exhausted, the canopy was cut by fire department personnel. |
|
The pilot was extracted at approximately 13:15. |
|
The F-22A's interior was contaminated by oil from the chainsaws... |
|
...and shards of polycarbonate from the canopy. |
|
Low observable material damage from sliding canopy is visible on airframe. |
Blog:
Read Max Kingsley-Jones's view on how lessons from Spitfire history were not learnt in the case of the Lockheed Martin F-22A canopy jam
Links posted in this story:
Click here to check out the highest rated articles
For exclusive news and expert analysis every week subscribe to Flight International print edition. Included with your subscription are 4 FREE issues and FREE delivery to your home or office.
Related Articles
F-22s Raptors to be deployed to Guam
(15/08/06)
Farnborough: Lockheed president says video game generation reinvents F-22 Raptor fighter jet’s role
(18/07/06)
The F/A-22: Lockheed Martin's lethal weapon
(04/01/05)
Maintenance disrupts Raptor
(24/01/06)
FREE Online Marketing Training
Learn how to reach new customers through online advertising and email marketing, drive traffic through SEO and generate new leads online with Flightglobal's 'What Works Online' webinar series
Don’t miss you opportunity to be trained by the experts
Huge discount when you post-a-job online!
Advertise your jobs on Flightglobal Jobs for just £499 - usually £750! For more information visit our 'For Recruiters' section.
