Pending Review
Thrill Seeking Demise
 
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ORIGINAL SUBMISSION:
The IP was ‘flat hatting’ (flight conducted at low altitude and/or a high rate of speed for thrill purposes) during various parts of this particular cross country training event, and actively encouraged/instructed his SNA to follow his example,” Bynum wrote. “The investigation further demonstrated that this IP was overly confident, nonchalant, and aggressive at low altitude training, with limited awareness of the performance capabilities of the T-45C in the LAAT environment. This attitude influenced the IP’s instructional style, and conditioned the SNA to fly the aircraft in an aggressive manner, without correction from the IP.”
Leading up to the crash, Ruth and Burch passed control of the aircraft back and forth to one another and dipped in altitude as low as 210 feet above the ground, when the rules state they must remain at least 500 feet above ground level. At 35 seconds before the crash, Ruth deviated from the required flight path to instead follow the terrain. He assumed control of the airplane 26 seconds ahead of the crash and “commenced a descending turn to demonstrate terrain following techniques. The IP (Ruth) nonchalantly returned the aircraft to the NSA (Burch) 10 seconds before the mishap, and then instructed the SNA to make a hard right turn. What neither the IP nor SNA knew was that they were too slow and too low relative to the rising terrain in front of them and that the attempted control input to recover was beyond the limitation of the aircraft. In response to their maneuvers the aircraft entered into a stall. By the time the aircrew realized they were in extremis, it was too late to eject safely.”
Submitted on 04/17/2018
Submitted by:
John M. wilson
Reference:
https://news.usni.org/2018/04/16/investigation-reckless-flying-caused-fatal-t-45c-crash-killed-two-n