One Pilot Lost, The Other Ejected
The bad news seems to be coming fast and furious, of late. Two
members of Canada's famed Snowbird Flight Demonstration Team were
involved in a mid air collision Friday at approximately 1000, local
time.
As a result, one pilot has been killed, while the other is
reported alive (with minor injuries), after a successful ejection.
Killed in a "routine" training flight, Capt. Miles Selby, 31, of
Tsawwassen, B.C., was a two-year veteran of the Snowbirds and had
flown CF-18 fighter jets during combat missions in Kosovo. Capt.
Chuck Mallett, 35, of Edmonton, was reported alive after an
ejection from his CT-114 Tutor demonstration aircraft.
The accident took place near Mossbank, some 65 km
south of 15 Wing, the Snowbirds' home base in Moose Jaw,
Saskatchewan. All flight training operations are currently
suspended pending an investigation of the collision. Tragically;
this accident occurs exactly six years after the mid-air in which
Snowbird Pilot, Capt. Michael VandenBos, lost his life
in 1998. VandenBos was part of a six-ship formation when a
mid-air disabled his aircraft. While he was able to eject,
VandenBos was fatally injured in the accident.
Capt. Miles Selby
Lost in Friday's tragic midair, Captain Miles Selby, 31, from
Tsawwassen, British Columbia, was in his second year with the
Snowbirds. During the 2004 show season, he flew the No. 4 jet and
was to fly the No. 8 aircraft as the Opposing Solo.
He joined the Canadian Forces in 1991 under the Regular Officer
Training Plan (ROTP) and graduated from Royal Roads Military
College in 1995. After receiving his wings, Capt. Selby was
selected for fighter pilot training and was subsequently posted to
416 Tactical Fighter Squadron in Cold Lake, Alberta, where he flew
the CF-18 Hornet. In 1999, Capt. Selby flew several operational
missions in the Kosovo Conflict and returned the following year to
fly peacekeeping missions over the Balkans.
In the summer of 2001, Capt. Selby was posted to 441 Tactical
Fighter Squadron in Cold Lake, Alberta, remaining on the CF-18
Hornet. He attended the Tactical Leadership Program flying course
in Florennes, Belgium and then completed his Mass Attack Lead
Upgrade in 2002. Capt. Selby brought over 2,650 hours of
military flying experience to the 2005 team.
Capt. Chuck Mallett
Reported to have survived with minor injuries, Capt. Mallett
joined the Canadian Forces in 1991 under the Officer Candidate
Training Plan (OCTP) and graduated with a diploma in Aviation
Science from Mount Royal College in Calgary in 1995. After
receiving his wings in 1996, he was posted to 2 Canadian Forces
Flying Training School (2 CFFTS) in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, as a
flying instructor on the CT-114 Tutor.
In 1999, he was posted to the Flying Instructor’s School
in Moose Jaw, and was subsequently selected for the initial cadre
of instructors to help with the transition from the Tutor to the
CT-156 Harvard II, the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC)
Program's new training aircraft. Overall, he accumulated over 900
instructional flying hours and achieved an A2 Instructional
Category.
Capt. Mallett was posted to 431 (AD) Squadron in 2002 as a
standards pilot, and a member of the Snowbirds’ home team.
Capt. Mallett brings over 3,350 hours of military flying experience
to the 2005 team.
Canadair CT-114 Tutor
According to the Canadian Forces, the Snowbirds' Canadair
CT-114 Tutor, was used as their basic pilot training aircraft
until 2000. The Tutor weighs approximately 7170 lbs, and is
powered by a J-85 engine producing 2,700 pounds of thrust. Top
speed of the aircraft, with smoke tanks attached, is 412 knots.
The basic Tutor is only slightly modified for use by the
Snowbirds. Modifications include: a smoke generating system, a
unique paint scheme for added crowd appeal, and a highly tuned
engine to enhance engine response in low level flying. With its
high maneuverability (with exceptionally pleasant control
harmonies) and relatively slow speed, the CF notes that Tutor is
ideally suited to the formation and aerobatic roles of the
Snowbirds.
Canadian Forces Statement: Snowbirds Pilot
Killed in Aircraft Collision
One Canadian Forces
Snowbirds pilot was killed and another was injured today when their
two CT-114 Tutor aircraft collided during a routine training flight
near Mossbank, SK.
Captain Miles Selby, age 31 from Tsawassen, BC, is the sixth
Snowbirds pilot killed in the performance of his duties in the 35
year history of the team.
Captain Chuck Mallett, age 35 from Edmonton, AB, survived the
collision and is recovering in hospital with minor injuries.
"It is with great sadness that I learned today of the death of
Capt Miles Selby," said Gen Ray Henault, Chief of the Defence
Staff. "I extend my most heartfelt condolences to Capt Selby's
wife, Julie, and family. I also extend my condolences to the
Snowbirds, the military community in Moose Jaw, and the Air Force.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Snowbirds and their broader
family in Moose Jaw, who I know will come together to provide
support to Capt Selby's wife and family in the coming days."
“The men and women of the Snowbirds team represent some of
our very best people,” said LGen Ken Pennie, Chief of the Air
Staff. “This is truly a sad loss for the Air Force, the
Canadian Forces, and for all Canadians. We will remember and honour
Capt Selby by carrying on the proud tradition of service and
professionalism in Canada 's Air Force.”
The cause of the crash is not known at this time, and will be
determined by a flight safety investigation.
ANN Note: Having flown and worked
with the Snowbirds for many years, we know well how incredibly
talented these pilots are, and how intensely unforgiving is the
environment in which they operate... we extend our condolences and
prayers to all those affected by this tragedy. -- Jim Campbell, ANN
E-I-C
We'll have more information as soon as we verify it...