Received this from a friend of mine. All conjecture at this time but
interesting reading.

I have left some comments in by other heavy iron drivers who passed
the original e-mail along.

Dudley may want to comment on this?

Big John
************************************************** **************

----- Original Message -----
From:
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2007 12:33 AM
Subject: Fw: Blue Angel Loss


This is an explanation of what may have caused the recent crash of a
Blue Angel.


Bob,
Roland sent this to me from a buddy of his. Sad yet interesting that
GLOC can take out even seasoned pilots. Larry

At this point, this is just speculation but interesting.


Subject: Blues

Hey Guys - got the below from Stew Crane, retired 0-6.

**************

For those who missed the news. This from my cousin currently fighting
the war in Hawaii. Pete is a former A4 and F-18 driver and IP. Below
his text is the first official Navy PA report. Stew


From: CAPT, USNR
Subject:
Date: Sun, 22 Apr 2007 12:23:28 -0400



Stew,

More detail available today. Having seen video of the crash, my
initial speculation is that there was a G induced loss of
consciousness (GLOC).

The most aggressive flying in the Blue Angel show takes place in the
join ups behind show center. The timing requires "expeditious" join
ups involving huge overtake speeds and high G maneuvering in the
terminal phase of the rejoin to dissipate the overtake. The video I
saw shows No.6 closing on the formation for the rejoin, but before he
gets there, the jet lags the formation, goes outside the turn radius
and descends in seeming controlled flight to the tree line. This would
be consistent with GLOC on the rendezvous. If the pilot passed out at
the join up, he'd be back on the power. Upon loss of consciousness,
the G would ease immediately taking him outside the formation turn
radius. At flight idle, the jet would slowly descend. To regain
consciousness, the pilot needs blood to flow to the brain which takes
a varying amount of time depending how deep the GLOC. The senses
return in reverse sequence to their loss. Hearing, then vision,
cognition, then motor control. The frustrating part is when you can
see and understand the problem but don't have the motor control to
manipulate the flight controls
appropriately.

*I have done this to myself in the Hornet, thankfully not so close to
the ground.

Of course, without the determinations of the safety investigation, the
foregoing is mere speculation. However, a catastrophic, double engine
failure is unheard of in the Hornet, and it would likely provide
evidence in smoke, flames and parts emanating from the tailpipes prior
to the crash. The media all seem focused on the impact with trees and
power lines, but that is inevitable when falling to the earth.

This pilot was no rookie. A former Tomcat driver and TOPGUN grad, he
was an experienced fighter pilot. GLOC is something that can effect
even the most seasoned pilots and it varies day to day and can turn on
something as innocuous as time since the pilot's last meal.

In any event, this is a sad day for the Navy.

V/r,

Wacko



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