Another lost today, though happily with two good ejections.

”The Breitling Jet Team has lost its number two aircraft during a team repositioning flight from Den Helder, Netherlands to Kleine Brogel, Belgium. The incident on 15 September involved an apparent engine problem with the Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros and prompted pilot Bernard Charbonnel and technician Raphael Savoye to safely eject from the aircraft and land safely.

Realising something was wrong, pilot Charbonnel reported an engine problem with the No. 2 aircraft. Following standard team procedures, he calmly informed the team and left the formation accompanied by a second aircraft, selecting the safest place for the aircraft to come down, an empty field away from people and livestock.

Charbonnel said, “When we were returning from Van Helder and I felt unusual vibrations, I realised very quickly something was wrong and reported an engine problem. We followed the emergency procedures by the book and my technician ejected at 2,000ft and myself at 1,500ft at approximate speeds of 250 to 300 km/hour.”

Team Leader Jacques Bothelin said, “I am very proud of my team, their expertise and experience is second to none. With the timing from first vibrations to ejection being less than one minute, Charbo executed everything with cool professional airmanship.”

http://www.flyer.co.uk/aviation-news/newsfeed.php?artnum=1287