Date:13-SEP-1962Time:Type: English Electric Lightning F1Owner/operator:BAC (British Aircraft Corporation)Registration:XG332C/n / msn:95021Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1Other fatalities:0Airplane damage:Written off (damaged beyond repair)Location:near Hatfield, Hertfordshire –  United KingdomPhase:ApproachNature:TestDeparture airport:Hatfield, Hertfordshire (EGTH)Destination airport:Hatfield, Hertfordshire (EGTH)Narrative: First flown by J.W.C. Squier 29-5-59 at English Electric, Samlesbury. Used throughout flying life by EE/BAC and de Havilland for Firestreak and Red Top air-to-air missile trials.
Crashed on final approach to Hatfield, whilst involved in the Red Top AAM programme, on 13-9-62. Whilst carrying out a demonstration flight, there was a fire in the aircraft's reheat zone. Un-burnt fuel in the rear fuselage had been ignited by a small crack in the jet pipe and had weakened the tailplane actuator anchorage. This weakened the tailplane control system which failed with the aircraft at 100 feet on final approach.
Fortunately the nose pitched up, giving test pilot George Aird time to eject. He came down through a greenhouse roof, breaking both legs and right thigh. He was unconscious due to the impact of landing and was woken by jets of cold water from the greenhouse's sprinkler system. He later recovered to resume his flying career.
This aircraft is one the featured in the famous (and much syndicated) photograph of the pilot’s ejection watched by a tractor driver (see below). According to some sources, including the tractor driver who appears in the picture, the photographer was paid £1,000 (equal to £18,607 at 2012 prices) by The "Daily Mirror" for the photograph.
Other newspapers originally dismissed the photograph as a fake…until the Ministry of Defence tried to put a "D Notice" on the photograph banning its publication, which confirmed that it was indeed real and not a fake!
That photo is quite worrying. It is quite possible that the pilot didn't survive the ejection. I have read of more than one RCAF pilot landing before the chute opened or landing in the fireball. This poor fellow is very close to the brink and the Lightening would not have had a modern ejection system.
Bet the farmer john fliped out on that
That jet is about to go boom.
"Oh hell….NOT THE BARN…NOT THE BARN!!!"
Wrong way up.
Nah, he'll make it, just pull up a little lol
+Richard Byrd proof!
Sensazionellllll
WOO
I bet his first words to him were, "your bloody playing for that! Scared my cows, they'll give sour milk now"
Anyone know what type of plane? Looks like a bac lightning
+cliff higson it is a lightning.
some shot 👍👏👏👏
Dammit Ethel! I dun told ya, NOT TO LET THEM KIDS FLY MY AREOPLANE!
Date:13-SEP-1962Time:Type:
English Electric Lightning F1Owner/operator:BAC (British Aircraft Corporation)Registration:XG332C/n / msn:95021Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1Other fatalities:0Airplane damage:Written off (damaged beyond repair)Location:near Hatfield, Hertfordshire –  United KingdomPhase:ApproachNature:TestDeparture airport:Hatfield, Hertfordshire (EGTH)Destination airport:Hatfield, Hertfordshire (EGTH)Narrative:
First flown by J.W.C. Squier 29-5-59 at English Electric, Samlesbury. Used throughout flying life by EE/BAC and de Havilland for Firestreak and Red Top air-to-air missile trials.
Crashed on final approach to Hatfield, whilst involved in the Red Top AAM programme, on 13-9-62. Whilst carrying out a demonstration flight, there was a fire in the aircraft's reheat zone. Un-burnt fuel in the rear fuselage had been ignited by a small crack in the jet pipe and had weakened the tailplane actuator anchorage. This weakened the tailplane control system which failed with the aircraft at 100 feet on final approach.
Fortunately the nose pitched up, giving test pilot George Aird time to eject. He came down through a greenhouse roof, breaking both legs and right thigh. He was unconscious due to the impact of landing and was woken by jets of cold water from the greenhouse's sprinkler system. He later recovered to resume his flying career.
This aircraft is one the featured in the famous (and much syndicated) photograph of the pilot’s ejection watched by a tractor driver (see below). According to some sources, including the tractor driver who appears in the picture, the photographer was paid £1,000 (equal to £18,607 at 2012 prices) by The "Daily Mirror" for the photograph.
Other newspapers originally dismissed the photograph as a fake…until the Ministry of Defence tried to put a "D Notice" on the photograph banning its publication, which confirmed that it was indeed real and not a fake!
Total flights 214, hours flown 138h 52m
Guy on tractors thoughts: WTF!!!
Mayday mayday mayday fire fire fire
Guess were not in Kansas anymore
"Not again…..where they do that at?!?"
Kamizakee
bad photoshop work, how can the pilot(?) be in front of the plane ??! and aren´t both seats still in the plane ?
+Capt Kirk lol….done deal
It's an amazing moment well captured.
The guys like "oh shit" haha
Whoa!
This photo was part of an ad. I'm not sure if the original photo was manipulated in a dark room. Yes, it's strange that the pilot is ahead of the plane.
http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/PROJECT/Adverts/mba314.jpg
Damn !!!!!
Just out mowin the lawn then… damn
+Hannes Nel that would. b a trip
A moment in time caught for ever ,I hope the pilot made it safely😇
+Ray Powell It aint true its homeaid
+Andreas K it's real it happened in Hatfield UK.
+Patrick Smith it's real it happened in Hatfield UK.
Thanks +TheNj400
The pilot did survive he broke both legs ,
That photo is quite worrying. It is quite possible that the pilot didn't survive the ejection. I have read of more than one RCAF pilot landing before the chute opened or landing in the fireball. This poor fellow is very close to the brink and the Lightening would not have had a modern ejection system.
+John Austin yes he survived o ly with 2 broking legs
And broken right hip. Was awakened by water from the sprinkler system of the greenhouse he landed in.
+John Austin did u live close to were that happened