Gripen pilot ejects by accident

Posted on: May. 2nd, 2007 || Source: Flight Global | E-mail Article | Print Article

The Swedish Accident Investigation Board (SAIB) is studying the cause of a non-fatal accident involving an air force Saab JAS39C Gripen fighter on 19 April, with initial evidence suggesting that the pilot inadvertently ejected himself from the aircraft. The incident led to all C/D-model Gripens - including those operated by the Czech Republic and Hungary - being grounded until 24 April.

Detailed analysis of the Gripen's data recorders, which were recovered intact after the crash at Vidsel airbase, will take several weeks to complete, but the SAIB says: "So far there is no indication of any technical fault with the aircraft." Attention is focused on an accidental deployment of the ejection seat during a high g manoeuvre, it says.

Read the full article

• Boeing, US Navy Offer Super Hornet for Denmark Fighter Competition
• Boeing Awarded US Army Contract for 191 CH-47F Chinook Helicopters
• The Netherlands shows interest in Gripen
• 4th F-35 Lightning II Rolls Out As Production Line Fills Up At Lockheed
• Lockheed Martin C-5m Super Galaxy Completes Flight Test
• Air Guard Predator pilots increase combat air patrols
• Predator passes 400,000 hours
• Future Predator/Reaper Formal Training Unit announced
• Saab/Gripen team completes Hungarian offset contract
• South African Gripen deliveries on track
• Boeing Delivers Super Hornet Proposal to Brazil For F-X2 Competition
• Northrop to Support NASA's Global Hawk Earth Science Research Aircraft
• NATO forces a step closer to attaining C-17s
• Northrop, Rockwell Collins Prove Concept for New B-2 Cockpit Display
• Navy's BAMS UAS Program Begins After GAO Ruling