On Sun, 08 Jun 2008 18:41:01 GMT, Larry Dighera
wrote:

On Sun, 08 Jun 2008 09:14:15 -0500, Big John
wrote in :

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The $1.4 billion aircraft crashed just off the left side of the
runway and exploded. It was the first-ever B-2 crash and followed
75,000 hours of loss-free service. Link and Grieve both suffered
injuries during ejection, with Grieve suffering compression
fractures to his spine.


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I ejected in 1968 and got a compression fracture.

I'm sorry to hear that. What was the cause of your decision to eject?

Seat was one of the
original seats first used in Jets. It used a 37 mm shell for energy
and the 'g' forces peaked just after firing with the high 'G' causing
the back damage.

Current seats have longer application of thrust and peak 'G' on pilot
is much less (smooth ride).

I'm surprised one of the pilots got a compression fracture unless it
was ground contact.

Big John

It would seem, that being strapped into the seat could result in just
that sort of injury on landing if the pilot doesn't have the option of
jettisoning the seat before landing.

Perhaps the injured pilot's age and weight figured into the cause of
his injury.

Does anyone wear those thick-soled wedgies with the pneumatic void in
the soles to cushion impact anymore?


*********************************************
Have told the story several times here on RAP.

Bottom line was no gas in a snow storm over
Greenland. Not hard to make a decision under those conditions.

Big John