Originally Posted by
kaputt
It was a B Course sortie also with a student WSO and student pilot up front in the stricken jet. It was the student WSO that got stuck on the rail. Crazy situation and was a hell of a job by all involved.
I flew T-38s with the Aircraft Commander for 3 years; personal friend and a great guy. They got indications of a Wing Glove fire. Every other time this has happened, the jet went out of control due to fire damage. (2-3 other cases). Flight Manual says Bail Out.
Student Pilot in Right seat, student WSO back right. IP and IWSO in left seats. I think first ride for both in the jet. So, Instructors wanted to see students get out first. Student WSO pulls the handle. Hatch pops, seat goes up a few inches, and stops.
Everyone looks at each other and says WTF?!?!?
Tried pulling the handle multiple times, nothing happens.
AC makes a command decision and says we’re landing...we all make it, or all don’t.
Awesome. Well done, Hopper.
Post Script: all Bones were grounded for a one-time inspection. Apparently, a LOT of seats were misrigged and would not have worked.
That was kept quiet for obvious reasons. Took several months to get them all fixed.