MiG crash in Michigan 2023-08-18
- Thread starter MiTasol
- Start date
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Any idea yet what caused it?
Peter Gunn
Master Sergeant
Hopefully it didn't hit any houses etc.
Thumpalumpacus
Major
It landed in the parking lot of an apartment complex and damaged several cars. No one in the air or on the ground was injured or killed, thankfully.
Glad to hear no one was injured.
Lucky13
Forum Mascot
There was no F-4 Phantoms around, was there?
Good stuff that nobody was injured!
Good stuff that nobody was injured!
Some awfully big chunks leaving suddenly in video. I'd suspect something big and important coming apart internally.
In the 90s, listened to a debrief of Egyptian MiG23 trained pilot, and they didn't like it, turning it down, keeping MiG21s and waiting for MiG29 and Sukhoi. Complex, terrible to maintain, and unstable at high speeds; it was unloved by most customers, and though built in large #s, was usually retired early.
One killed AF General Bond, head of Systems Command, on his retirement tour attempting a high speed run.
In the 90s, listened to a debrief of Egyptian MiG23 trained pilot, and they didn't like it, turning it down, keeping MiG21s and waiting for MiG29 and Sukhoi. Complex, terrible to maintain, and unstable at high speeds; it was unloved by most customers, and though built in large #s, was usually retired early.
One killed AF General Bond, head of Systems Command, on his retirement tour attempting a high speed run.
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
The "big chunks" are the canopies jettisoning, with the smoke being from the explosive separators, before the two ejection seats fire, clearly seen in other videos.
Thumpalumpacus
Major
I've looked over the several videos for a possible cause for the crash. There seems no airframe damage or disintegration visible. I might only think that there's an engine-failure involved, but we must await the investigation.
- Thread starter
- #11
MiTasol
1st Lieutenant
Agree. There are many other possibilities. Hopefully the crew will be able to answer some of those questions soon
For example, I do not know the flight control (or any other system for that matter) in the MiG-23 but if like the F-86 it is dependent on hydraulic pressure so if you lose that you have no option but to punch out.
Maybe someone here has a set of MiG-23 manuals that will help once the crew do start talking in public.
For example, I do not know the flight control (or any other system for that matter) in the MiG-23 but if like the F-86 it is dependent on hydraulic pressure so if you lose that you have no option but to punch out.
Maybe someone here has a set of MiG-23 manuals that will help once the crew do start talking in public.
Thumpalumpacus
Major
I thought that, only for it being single-engined. At that altitude, engine loss is unrecoverable and requires immediate ejection. I didn't think of loss of hydro, admittedly -- but that too would be an immediate eject.
special ed
2nd Lieutenant
- 5,667
- May 13, 2018
Gen. Bond went to Tonepah Test Range to fly one of the Red Eagles Mig-23 just before his retirement. According to the book, he refused to listen to the complete preflight briefing. Therefore, he did not learn of the requirement of slow throttle reduction from high speed. The aircraft has an automatic feature to prevent rapid throttle reduction from high speed and when throttled back, automatically reduces to safe speed regardless of of throttle position. The General thought he had a runaway engine and tried to eject.
Barrett
Senior Airman
That was a systemic failure. But how's a Lt. Col. gonna tell a star wearer "No. Sir." A friend commanded a fighter training squadron and violated regs that compounded maintenance and endangered safety. Didn't matter--he had to retire. The military needs to remember Napoleon's statement: "Sometimes insubordination indicates a superior intelligence."
RichardSuhkoi
Airman 1st Class
- 158
- Apr 27, 2021
A YouTube person claimed uncontained engine failure. If that is true we expect the debris to kill adjacent engine and systems so immediate ejection would be necessary. The investigation will of course settle this. I'm very impressed both seats worked well as they may have been long past scheduled rebuild.
GreenKnight121
Senior Airman
- 738
- Mar 16, 2014
Sorry, the MiG-23 is a single-engine aircraft... there is NO "adjacent engine"!
Thumpalumpacus
Major
I didn't see evidence of uncontained failure in the video.
RichardSuhkoi
Airman 1st Class
- 158
- Apr 27, 2021
You are correct! I should have written "uncontained engine failure would immediately cut thrust and at such a low altitude require immediate ejection". BTW is there any more info on cause?
