Kelly/Curr – 24 Aug 79

A8-137         [1,506.6 total flying hours]

Pilot:               FLGOFF Mark Kelly
                           Cat D – 139 hrs F-111 

Navigator:     FLTLT ‘Big Al’ Curr
                            Cat A – 1,401 hrs F-111

Aborted take-off and successful ejection, Ohakea Airbase, NZ.  During an aborted take-off above refusal speed, following a double engine surge and afterburner blowout, the aircraft was unable to be stopped within the remaining runway . The navigator initiated ejection at 90 kts at approximately 150 ft from the end of the runway. The crew module ejection was successful however, the pilot suffered back injuries and the aircraft was engulfed in flames and damaged beyond repair.

A8-137  Fireball

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Accident Summarymore accident details in this extract from DDAAFS Safety Magazine “Sifting Through the Evidence” DDAAFS_F-111 Accident_137