43 years from the Thunderbirds Diamond Crash

[Zaphod58]

On Jan 18, 1982 the USAF Thunderbirds were rehearsing for the upcoming season at Indian Springs, outside Nellis AFB, NV. The team was flying T-38 Talons at the time, having switched to them in the 1970s in response to the oil crisis. During the rehearsal on this day, the four aircraft that formed the Diamond formation were performing the line abreast loop, where all four aircraft are in a line on either side of the #1 aircraft, performing a loop. On the back side of the loop the lead aircraft suffered a jammed stabilizer, leaving him unable to pull out of the loop to complete it. The other three aircraft were all focused on the flight lead, and the four aircraft flew into the ground together, killing all four pilots instantly. The pilots of the Diamond were Major Norm Lowry of Radford Virginia (Flight lead), Capt Willie Mays of Ripley, Tennessee (Left wing), Capt Joseph "Pete" Peterson of Tuskegee, Alabama (Right wing), and Capt Mark Melancon of Dallas, Texas (Slot). 

TSgt Alfred R King was filming the rehearsal from the ground, and recorded the accident. The AIB was able to watch the video, and determine the cause of the accident, but on 2 April 1982, General Wilbur Creech ordered two of the three personnel that were reviewing the tapes out of the room, and without guidance from anyone, destroyed the portion of the master tape that showed the impact. He claimed that he did it because the tape had already been subject to demands for access from the families for part of a suit against Northrop, who made the T-38, and by NBC as part of a FOIA request. He claimed he destroyed the tape because he was afraid it would be used for sensationalism, and he was concerned about the privacy of the families. After he retired, the airfield at Indian Springs was renamed Creech AFB after him. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1982_Thund...mond_crash

[727Sky]

I had received a signed big poster from those guys before their accident. We were at an airshow with our aircraft on display and if I remember correctly their photographer (or someone on their team) said the guys wanted me to have the poster.

It has been a long time ago and either I did not know or I have forgotten the cause of the accident; either way lead has to keep you out of the dirt especially at those close distances....Sad day for all.

[Bassplyr]

Never knew about this crash. It’s strange seeing t38s in thunderbird livery. Speaking of paint schemes what’s the story behind your avatar Zaph? Never seen a panther in all black before.

[Zaphod58]

Never knew about this crash. It’s strange seeing t38s in thunderbird livery. Speaking of paint schemes what’s the story behind your avatar Zaph? Never seen a panther in all black before.

Just something someone put together for me that I liked.

[mikell]

A good friend of mine had been in the Air Force a year or so and had to go out and survey the crash. It changed him for a long time and he was put out of the force a year or so later. Still a bit crazy at 65!!