Hope everyone is ok.

Navy jet crashes into apartments in Virginia – This Just In - CNN.com Blogs

 

Zack thinks that the planes are flying lower, faster, and pushing the limits huh?

The first time I EVER flew into Oceana (assuming this was ivo NAS Oceana and not some other base in the VB area), I was amazed that the 180 for Rwy 05 was right over Lynnhaven Mall! Humanity has built right up to the airfield fence in every direction.

Hope the crew and everyone on the ground comes out OK.

USMCFLYR

 

While working AFRC man days at Hurlburt, we dealt with a gentleman who complained that helicopters and C130s flew over his house all day/evening long. Once PA discussed this with him, we found out he moved to Fl from the NE and moved into a house UNDER the PATTERN.

But we digress...news says no one was seriously inured and both pilots punched out? Also the jet was ditching fuel on the way into the base.

 

It left quite the smoking hole in the ground. Glad that no deaths have been reported.

 

Dumping fuel?

 

USMC, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the Hornet has dump-masts in the vertical stab, above the rudders (look the same shape as the F-4's; in the Phantom they were outboard of the ailerons).

If he was dumping gas, sounds like an engine failure and trying to reduce weight in a thrust-deficient situation...that turned sour.

Of course, keen "observers" could report to CNN that vortex condensation trails were "....fuel being dumped....."

 

That is correct as far as the location of the dump masts.
A clue can be found in the photos of the engines.
Just watched the DVR'ed national news stories from last night.
They confirmed that it was -106 and that it was a training flight with an IP in the back, though one made it unclear if the student was a true first timer or a transition. Some on here will have first hand knowledge but I'm sure will be quite on the info for the time being.

There are times to dump fuel for that very reason. From the location of the crash site I would venture a guess that they took off on Rwy 05L or 05R and were heading out to the working areas as speculated earlier in the news reports.

Here is a question for anyone who knows - was it a F/A-18B/D or F? I don't remember if VFA-106 is still conducting legacy training or is it 100% Supers.

USMCFLYR

 

Was a D. -2 of a sxn ftr weps hop. 106 teaches A-F. 122 is doing the same on the west coast after 125 Cadre(will be JSF FRS #2 eventually when it fires back up)

 

Thanks BDGER. Here's to passing on best wishes for all involved from this alum.

USMCFLYR

 

Credible eyewitness reports that one of the crew was still strapped in to his seat. Aren't those supposed to separate regardless of altitude/attitude? Reportedly, this crewmember only had facial lacerations.