5th Gripen crash, 3rd for SwAF

[rattmuff]

http://www.thelocal.se/7051/20070419/

"They heard a big bang and when they looked out they saw the pilot hanging there in his chute,"

It was a exercise between SwAF and the Swedish Army AA units. The day had ended and four Gripens made a demonstration by flying low in a four ship formation. When they were about to make a left to land in a straight line the last Gripen in the formation broke of and crashed.

The pilot was ok and walked with his chute to the closest guard. He became one inch shorter.

Pictures of the crash site
http://www.mil.se/photo.php?id=131997&nid=36751
http://www.mil.se/photo.php?id=131998&nid=36751
http://www.mil.se/photo.php?id=132000&nid=36751
View of the crash site
http://www.mil.se/media/asx/nedslagsplatsen.asx

 

[JoeLiTo]

Good thing the pilot managed to escape with his life.

Still, how does the safety of the gripens compares with other fighters?

 

[Oryx]

Good thing the pilot managed to escape with his life.

Still, how does the safety of the gripens compares with other fighters?

For single-engined fighters, it has one of the best safety records in the business. Five crashes since 1988, no fatalities or serious injuries so far (knock on wood).

Early indications are that this latest accident was an unintentional ejection - either a seat malfunction or an accidental activation by the pilot. The pilot claims he never touched the handle. Of course there will now be a full investigation.

 

[rattmuff]

Just so everybody knows... six Gripens have been lost. The one that never comes up is that one who was put aside after a refueling malfunction caused by entering wrong numbers somewhere and the pressure got so high the aircraft was severely damaged.


After this 5th crash all C/D versions are grounded.

 

[Oryx]

Just so everybody knows... six Gripens have been lost. The one that never comes up is that one who was put aside after a refueling malfunction caused by entering wrong numbers somewhere and the pressure got so high the aircraft was severely damaged.


After this 5th crash all C/D versions are grounded.

I think the reason that incident doesn't get mentioned is that it was not a "crash", although I must admit it is the first time I hear of it also.

My sources tell me the SAAB test C's and D's are not grounded, only the SwAF aircraft. Our (RSA) single test aircraft at TFDC is also not grounded although it was not scheduled for any test flying this week anyway. The situation may change of course. I don't know what the situation is with the Hungarian and Czech aircraft. However, those people that I have spoken to expect the grounding to be for only a few days max.

 

[JoeLiTo]

For single-engined fighters, it has one of the best safety records in the business. Five crashes since 1988, no fatalities or serious injuries so far (knock on wood).

Early indications are that this latest accident was an unintentional ejection - either a seat malfunction or an accidental activation by the pilot. The pilot claims he never touched the handle. Of course there will now be a full investigation.

So it' s better than the early f-16, the f-104, mig-21 among others then.

That' s good since it seems that gripen accidents are the most talked about these days

 

[BKNO]

Well gripen is NEW and for sale too which is why every crash is publicied this way....