Canadian Snowbirds
May 17, 2020
As part of a National tribute to Canada due to Covid19, the Snowbirds were departing Kamloops, British Columbia when the accident took place.
Footage shows a two ship formation taking off when suddenly one of the planes makes an abrupt climb in to what appears to be a take-off departure stall resulting in a spin. Both the pilot and Public Affairs Officer ejected however the PAO Capt Jenn Casey did not survive. Having met Jenn at a recent performance in NC, she was a kind soul and I am sure she will will be greatly missed.
What Happened?
Its unclear at this time what happened to cause the aircraft to make such a maneuver but there are reasons this can happen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKEVMWqIYjc
Update:
Still unclear as to the cause, but engine failure seems to be the likely scenario.
The following are examples of what could have happened, not what happened:
Pilot error: Pilot error should never be ruled out until it is ruled out. However, these pilots are highly skilled, trained and selected for the team but mistakes do happen.
Engine failure:
The pilot pitched up to gain enough altitude to make a turn back to the field. Being in formation, when the pilot had the first indication of trouble, he pulled away from the other aircraft. What led to the events is unknown but being that close to the ground at a relatively slow airspeed, its very possible there may have been a bird strike.
All things being equal, it would appear pilot error during pull-up maneuver contributed to the Stall/Spin which ultimately led to the crash. Loss of situational awareness during an emergency could be a factor.
Runaway Pitch Trim:
The pitch trim controls the aircraft about the lateral axis (from wing tip to wing tip). If the pitch trim failed, it could cause the nose to pitch up sharply resulting in a Take-off departure stall.
Flight Control Failure:
The pilots inability to control the aircraft due to Loss of flight control.
This could be anything from a control lock not removed before flight to a linkage or flight control support failure.
In the footage, the pilot appears to momentarily re-gain control just prior to ejection.
September 14, 1997, Essex MD F-117 Stealth Fighter flight control failure.
https://fighterjetsworld.com/air/lockheed-f-117-nighthawk-crash/514/
August 27, 1992: C-7 Caribou Crash, Test Flight with flight controls locked
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by7fzs6paic
G-LOC (unlikey)
(Loss of Consciousness:) Before I saw the entire video, my first thought was G-LOC. This is a situation when the pilot passes out as blood leaves the brain due to excessive G loading.
Example: Blue Angles Crash in Beaufort SC on April 21, 2007 where Pilot and opposing solo Kevin "Kojak" Davis was killed.
Less Likely
( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Blue_Angels_South_Carolina_crash )