An antique jet fighter crashed Tuesday morning as it attempted to take off from Midland International Airport, but the pilot and passenger escaped injury, according to a news release from the City of Midland.
Midland police and firefighters responded to a report of the plane crash at 11:11 a.m. The cause of the crash was not immediately clear, nor was damage to the plane, a Messerschmitt Me 262.
The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate.
The Commemorative Air Force Museum is nearby, but the airplane was not a CAF aircraft, said Karissa Kienast, public relations manager with the Commemorative Air Force.
Kienast said she did not know who owns the airplane.
The aircraft was a transient plane stopping through the area, said Sara Higgins, spokeswoman for the City of Midland.
Can’t really believe that PR Manager for the CAF doesn’t know who owns the aircraft….. altho knowing some CAF people it doesn’t surprise me
By: Jim_Harley - 26th April 2013 at 00:07
Here is a photo post abort. It hadn’t been towed off the runway yet.
Jim
By: Peter D Evans - 24th April 2013 at 14:14
Good news… this from the Collings Foundations Facebook page:
You might see some information regarding the Me262. I would like to take the opportunity to correct some of the information in the press release and add some facts regarding the incident at Midland Airport. The Me262 operated by the Collings Foundation was not involved in a crash. The aircraft did not have the rear canopy properly secured by the pilot occupying the rear seat. This was an oversight caused by his closing the canopy early due to wind and cold temperatures while securing himself in the aircraft. Due to the latch not being secured the rear canopy did depart the aircraft on take-off. The pilot in command aborted the take-off and the aircraft never left the ground. The aircraft has no damage aside of superficial damage to the canopy and a scratch on the fuselage. Both pilots are uninjured. Again it is important to stress that this was not a crash, but an incident involving a canopy departing the aircraft while it was still on the ground.
Thank you for your understanding.
Regards,
Rob Collings
Cheers
Pete
By: Rocketeer - 24th April 2013 at 02:53
Glad everything was ok Jim. The media is a pain.
Many thanx for the hospitality and fun you gave me recently!
Anyone who is even slightly thinking of flying with Collings, go for it! They are a lovely bunch of guys and gals, they make you welcome and really deliver a fun and thoughtful experience. It also allows you to see a bit of what it was like flying in and ‘living’ in a warbird. It really is living history.
By: Jim_Harley - 24th April 2013 at 02:38
Definitely not a crash. The rear canopy was not properly closed and it departed the airframe. The takeoff was aborted and relatively minor damage was sustained to the airframe and canopy. The two crew members are ok. Thanks for being understanding of the media.
Jim
By: ZRX61 - 23rd April 2013 at 19:47
Maybe one of the mods can edit the thread title to “aborted takeoff” ?
By: TonyT - 23rd April 2013 at 19:33
Perhaps if he read the article the Collins Foundation in the header would give him a clue, looks like its simply gone bondue bashing.
By: ZRX61 - 23rd April 2013 at 19:32
Update:
The rear canopy separated from the aircraft on takeoff prior to rotation. Damage is minor.
Not exactly a crash…
By: warhawk69 - 23rd April 2013 at 19:24
Antique?…Really!
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April 23, 2013 at 7:12 pm