canadian air show crash (F/A- 18)

[Guest scott fletcher]

CALGARY - The pilot in a CF-18 Hornet which crashed at the Lethbridge airport was taken to hospital with undetermined injuries after ejecting from the aircraft as it encountered troubles.

 

Military officials confirmed Capt. Brian Bews survived the crash of the Canadian Forces combat aircraft onto airport property about 12:22 p.m., RCMP Insp. Joe McGeough said.

 

The aircraft was in town for the 2010 Alberta International AirShow, which is to take place this weekend with a lineup boasting more than two dozen aircraft, including the CF-18.

 

Capt. Holly Brown said the crash happened during a practice session.

 

Witnesses said the aircraft caught fire when it crashed.

 

“Obviously, he knew there was a problem and he successfully ejected from the aircraft and he survived,” Brown said.

 

“He’s alive and it’s very good news.”

 

She said pilots like Bews, who is stationed in Quebec, go through extremely rigorous training, and it is quite an honour when they are chosen for the post.

 

She said the cause of the crash is unknown and could not elaborate on the nature of the pilot’s injuries.

 

Department of National Defence and transportation department officials are investigating.

 

Airshow officials say the twin-engine tactical aircraft is used for everything from fighter escort to suppression of enemy air defences, reconnaissance, forward air control, close air support, and day and night strike missions.

 

The Saskatchewan-born Bews began his flying career in 1995 in Okotoks, went to Mount Royal College and enrolled in the Canadian Forces in 1999.

 

After studying at the NATO Flying Training in Moose Jaw, Sask. and receiving his wings on the BAE Hawk jet in 2003, he was selected to be a fighter pilot and went to 419 Tactical Fighter Squadron in Cold Lake, Ab.

 

By 2004, Bews realized his dream to fly the CF-18 Hornet and in 2008 he was posted to 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron based in Bagotville, Que.

 

He has accumulated more than 1,400 flying hours in the military, of which 1,200 of those are in the CF-18 Hornet.

 

His military biography states Bews enjoyed riding motorbikes in his spare time and is a fan of all motorsports.

 

 

[Guest scott fletcher]

[ame=http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfiCyVKnSSw]http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfiCyVKnSSw[/ame]