Russian fighter jet crashes in Michigan

[streetroc]

The only civilian-owned MiG-23 in the world was performing at an airshow in Michigan 2 weeks ago. The pilot tried to light the afterburner but it didn't work. The engine was still running and making power so he moved the wings to the forward position and tried to correct the problem from the cockpit. The rear seat passenger got scared and pulled the ejection seat handle. Both pilot and passenger ejected safely and the aircraft crashed into a parking lot. Miraculously nobody was injured but it was another huge hit to the airshow/warbird community. This is why we can't have nice things...

 

[Dodge man]

The rear seat passenger got scared and pulled the ejection seat handle.

That should tell you everything lol.

 

[GAgunLAWbooklet]

If the Backseater got scared and prematurely ejected as the article suggests, does that mean that the pilot had to eject also?
Or could he have kept his own canopy intact and flown the airplane to a landing with the wings extended and the engine running at a moderate throttle setting?

 

[JDUB]

It looks like pilot was ejected about a second after the dumbass passenger did No idea if this is design or there is a choice.

Jesus, what a bummer.

 

[GAgunLAWbooklet]

well, The pilot says this particular aircraft was wired so that if either one of them pull the ejection handle, both ejection seats will fire.
(I'm assuming with a slight time delay in the sequence, intentionally set that way so the seats don't bump into each other.)

NTSB Releases Preliminary Investigation Report For MiG-23UB Crash In Michigan

"MiG-23 Pilot Not Ready To Eject When Ejection Was Initiated" NTSB Preliminary Report Says. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released

theaviationist.com

 

[CQB27]

Most jets have a lever in the pilots cockpit the allows him to select if each man ejects independently or one man pulls his handle and both seats fire.

If one pull ejects both seats is selected, then there is a contract, an understanding among the crew how that will go down.

If the command override (pilot selects the how ejection goes down) function exists in that plane, I can’t imagine a pilot in command selecting the “you go, we go” setting.

 

[FreezeDryGuy]

The only civilian-owned MiG-23 in the world was performing at an airshow in Michigan 2 weeks ago. The pilot tried to light the afterburner but it didn't work. The engine was still running and making power so he moved the wings to the forward position and tried to correct the problem from the cockpit. The rear seat passenger got scared and pulled the ejection seat handle. Both pilot and passenger ejected safely and the aircraft crashed into a parking lot. Miraculously nobody was injured but it was another huge hit to the airshow/warbird community. This is why we can't have nice things...

damn thats crazy

 

[keith089]

The rocket under the seat is designed to burn up most of the inside of the Aircraft. That’s why they seclect all when running checklists. Unless it’s a bottom dump then it can’t be single seat

 

[GAgunLAWbooklet]

especially if the Backseater is not really part of a crew with any duties, but is merely a passenger, an observer, in a specially modified aircraft that never was intended to have a backseat for most of its variants / sub-models.

 

[keith089]

Not modified, it was built as a two seater, this was the second version two seater.