Item falls from jet, cuts short Thunderbirds show

 

 

An aerial performance by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds was cut short Saturday after an object fell from a jet during the Chicago Air and Water Show. Six F-16 planes landed safely at the Gary/Chicago Airport in Gary, Ind., after the afternoon incident, and no one was injured, officials said.

 

Air Force spokesman Rob Lazaro said he did not know what kind of object had fallen from the plane.

 

"Each thing that is on that jet is highly technical ... we have about 70 maintainers out here and they're going to do their best to fix that jet and figure out what happened today," Thunderbirds spokeswoman Capt. Angela Johnson said.

 

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds pass overhead Saturday after an object fell from one of the jets into Lake Michigan. Note the top of the last plane's wing. (Scott Stewart/Sun-Times)

 

The incident took place during the first few minutes of the Thunderbirds' portion of the show, Lazaro said. City officials had estimated more than a million spectators would gather on Chicago's lakefront to watch Saturday's performances.

 

Chicago Police marine units were dispatched to a section of Lake Michigan between Division and North Avenue where authorities believe the item landed, police spokesman John Mirabelli said.

 

Despite the incident, the city did not plan to cancel the air show's events on Sunday, when officials expected another million people to crowd the city's beaches, said Cindy Gatziolis, spokeswoman for the Mayor's Office of Special Events. Other participants include the U.S Army Golden Knights Parachute Team and the Liquid X Freestyle extreme water show.

 

The Thunderbirds had not decided Saturday evening whether they would participate on Sunday, Johnson said.

 

The group, headquartered at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., performs at approximately 70 air shows a year, according to their Web site. The aerial demonstration team flies the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon, a maneuverable fighter aircraft.

 

An FAA spokesman said the agency generally does not investigate incidents involving military planes during air shows.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/airwater20.html

 

 

lucky that all planes returnd safely and no one got hurt....just goes to show that these guys make it look easy up there during airshows but if your a few inches off your mark and things get very dangerouse

 

 

This shot captures the right missile rail of the rear F-16D touching the left rear wingtip of the F-16C on the right hand corner of the diamond formation. The missile rail broke off seconds later, falling safely into Lake Michigan.

 

 

you can see the 4th plane is now missing the missile rail....

 

 

and the whole story is updated...they investaged the incident, and decided to continue there united states tour next week in cleveland...I allways thought the blue angles are better, but i allways enjoy the thunderbirds too...fly safe guys

Damn, that's pretty wild, but glad to see everyone's ok. The Blue Angels are more impressive, but regardless, they're both amazing.