OTTAWA - The Flight Safety Investigation Report regarding the CF-18 Demonstration Hornet accident, which occurred at the Alberta International Air Show in Lethbridge, Alberta on July 23, 2010, is now available on the Air Force Directorate of Flight Safety website.
During the air show practice at the Lethbridge County Airport, the Demo Hornet experienced a loss of thrust from its right engine while conducting a high angle of attack pass at 300 feet (approximately 90 metres) above ground level.
The pilot, Captain Brian Bews of 425 Squadron, 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec, successfully ejected from the aircraft; however he sustained injuries when he landed firmly under a fully inflated parachute. The aircraft impacted the ground nose-first and was destroyed.
This investigation concluded that a number of factors contributed to this particular occurrence, one of which was a malfunction in the right engine.
The investigation produced several recommendations for preventative measures, most of which have already been implemented with the aim of preventing similar occurrences in the future.
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