Despite the Scaremongering Media Headlines, Things End Well for Polaris

Two aircraft performing at the Fort Lauderdale Air Show clipped wings during a routine last Sunday, spooking onlookers with the hint of a tragedy.

The aircraft were performing as a part of the Polaris Ghost Squadron, a team of urban-camo milsurp jets hailing from across Eastern Europe.

The Polaris Ghost Squadron features an eye-catching MiG-29, a trio of Alpha Jets, and a quartet of Albatros L39s, all working together to "demonstrate precision formation flying with the aim to inspire the next generation of aerospace enthusiasts" while earning money for their partner, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

In their recent incident, the team pulled just a little too close during their Fort Lauderdale routine, touching tips but preventing any worse damage from occurring.

Still, it was enough to make some headlines around the country, thanks to the public's ever-present interest in aircraft accidents.

Thanks to the large number of attendees at the air show, there was plenty of after-action footage to check it out after the fact.

In the footage, one aircraft's right wing gently connects with the left horizontal stabilizer of an aircraft leading, which breaks off to the left and disengages immediately.

All things considered, it's a pretty happy ending to something that could easily have been an utter tragedy. 

FMI: www.polarisprogram.com