A8-133 [994.3 total flying hours]
Pilot: FLTLT Adam Noordink
CAT U – 17 hrs F-111; F-111C Operational Conversion Course student
QFI: SQNLDR John Holt
A2 CAT QFI – 961.1 hrs F-111
Fatal Birdstrike and Unsuccessful Ejection. The incident crew were conducting a day single-ship sortie; practice bombing at Evans Head air weapons range, the first flight of the operational phase of the F-111C Operational Conversion Course, sortie was the student pilot’s first bombing mission, the right seat was occupied by a 6SQN Training Flight Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) pilot.
Aircraft Impact Crater – A8-133
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Accident summary. During the downwind leg at 2,000 ft AMSL for a second bombing pass on a 320° attack heading, the aircraft experienced at least three birdstrikes (most likely pelicans) on the cockpit transparencies. 10–12 seconds later, ejection was initiated at a height of 720 ft AMSL, airspeed of 520 kts, nose down and right wing down. Ejection parameters were well beyond the capabilities of the crew module, which impacted the ground approximately three seconds later, nose down and with approximately 55° right bank. The module disintegrated on impact and both crew members were killed. The aircraft crashed approximately 9 nm south‑southwest from the main radar target at Evans Head air weapons range (NSW) and caused an extensive ground fire. … more accident details in this extract from DDAAFS Safety Magazine “Sifting Through the Evidence” DDAAFS_F-111 Accident_133
Crew Module Impact Crater
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Wardo & Boggy @ the crash site remembrance ceremony for the families and friends of Noordink & Holt on 27 Sep 2013