CNN reporting GEICO Skytyper aircraft down in Norfolk

[lijk604]

Just came in on CNN aircraft down in Norfolk...details very sketchy at this time.

[nikon50bigma]

Here we go:
http://www.wvec.com/news/topstories/sto ... 0a1d2.html
By 13News

It's a horrible beginning to the 2007 NAS OCeana Air Show.
Watch Sky13 video A stunt plane crashed Friday afternoon during practice. Typically, aircraft rehearse performances on the day the air show begins.
Oceana spokesman Troy Snead said the plane went down about noon and emergency personnel were on the scene.
A flight restriction is set up around the base, which is normal procedure for the air show, reports Sky13 pilot Rodger Crawley.
There was no immediate word on injuries.
13News/2006 Air Show
This is one of the planes of the Geico Skywriters.
Virginia Beach Police are patroling along International Parkway and London Bridge Parkway to keep vehicles from stopping to look at the situation.
Early reports indicate the plane is part of the Geico Skywriters group.
ABOUT THE GEICO SKYWRITERS:

The Geico Skytypers are a squadron of SNJ trainers that have operate out of New York and travel to air shows all over the United States and Canada, demonstrating their precision flying and Skytyping abilities to millions of people each year. The Skytyping process utilizes five airplanes that fly abreast, 250-feet apart and "type" up to 30 character messages in a dot-matrix-like pattern. When Skytyping, the airplanes create messages in the sky that are 5 miles long, as tall as the Empire State Building and can be seen for 15 miles in any direction or nearly 400 square miles. During the show, crowds will be delighted by the Geico Skytypers 6-plane aerial demonstration. The roar of 6 Pratt & Whitney 550 horsepower engines and the skytyping smoke generators will provide a thrilling backdrop for the Geico Skytypers precision formation maneuvers and daring solo aerobatics.

[GrummanFan]

I hope the pilot is ok, I really enjoy the act these guys put on.

[lijk604]

CNN reporting that the team was inbound for landing when the incident occurred.
No word on condition or name of the pilot.

[GrummanFan]

From ICAS:

WILDBERGH KILLED IN VIRGINIA ACCIDENT

Jan Wildbergh, a pilot with the Geico Skytypers, was killed when his North American SNJ-2 crashed while landing after a media show performance at NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Other details on the accident are not yet available.



About Flight Leader Wildbergh, from skytypers.com...

As a child I saw both Zeros and Spitfires in action and became very interested in aircraft.
Once I completed my school I applied for pilot training in the Dutch Air Force. I was sent to the USA in 1953 where, 22 months later, I completed my training and received my wings. Back in Holland, I flew first generation jet fighters, F 84 G and later the F 84 F during the Cold war. After my military service I immigrated to the USA and remained involved in aviation. I flew many different types of private aircraft, ran a flight school and worked for an airline. I joined the Skytypers in 1986.

:( :(

[moose135]

RIP

Fred called me this afternoon about this - he was at FRG when the news came and called me. Just one more sad incident in a tragic show season.

While it's much too early to determine what happened, it may be significant to note that this aircraft, Skytyper 6, was involved in a ground incident at FRG on Sunday. While preparing to taxi for takeoff, the prop of ST6 struck the port wing of ST4, causing major damage to #4. I saw #6 parked near their hangar Sunday afternoon without a prop. Monday, it looked like they took #6 for a test flight, and later in the day #6 was out with the rest of the formation for a flight. I hope that nothing from Sunday's incident was a factor in today's crash.

Again, RIP Jan Wildbergh...

[nikon50bigma]

RIP.
Anyone know if the Skytypers flew home or if they will remain their for the weekend?

[Gerard]

>While it's much too early to determine what happened, it may be significant to note that this aircraft, Skytyper 6, was involved in a ground incident at FRG on Sunday. While preparing to taxi for takeoff, the prop of ST6 struck the port wing of ST4, causing major damage to #4. I saw #6 parked near their hangar Sunday afternoon without a prop.<

I was at FRG Sunday and saw one of the Skytypers being towed to their hangar.

> Monday, it looked like they took #6 for a test flight, and later in the day #6 was out with the rest of the formation for a flight. <

At TOBAY Monday and saw 5 Skytypers head out over the ocean with one trailing. They went out
a few miles then turned back in to the mainland. Was wondering why the 6th was trailing.

> Again, RIP Jan Wildbergh<

Damn shame. I love watching these guys especially when they land, breaking up the formation
and sweeping in one by one.

[PhilDernerJr]

Such a horrible news, with a heavy local blow, as we've all watched these guys overhead and spent time with them at Kids Days. :(

[moose135]

I was at FRG Sunday and saw one of the Skytypers being towed to their hangar.

I'm sure you saw #6. I was there also, parked next to the terminal, I saw #6 being towed back. I didn't notice the prop, but it wasn't until later that Fred let me know about the incident.

[SCOTYDEMCO]

I saw a four ship skytyper formation flying home from Oceana while I was out on the water today. Sad.

[nikon50bigma]

Yea very sad, especially since several of us have seen them (at a distance) a week prior to the crash.
Do you guys think Geico is going to take their sponsorship away from the Skytypers because of this?
Heres two shots of the Geico Skytypers at the McGuire Airshow:

[GrummanFan]

Do you guys think Geico is going to take their sponsorship away from the Skytypers because of this?

I highly doubt that. Aviation, especially aerobatics, is unforgiving, and unfortunately these things do happen, and its no reason to take away a sponsorship.

They will be appearing at their next scheduled show at Brunswick, and we will most likely see them at Brookhaven in a few weeks.

[nikon50bigma]

Do you guys think Geico is going to take their sponsorship away from the Skytypers because of this?

I highly doubt that. Aviation, especially aerobatics, is unforgiving, and unfortunately these things do happen, and its no reason to take away a sponsorship.

They will be appearing at their next scheduled show at Brunswick, and we will most likely see them at Brookhaven in a few weeks.

Ya think LGA kids day too?
I know that the Blue Angels keeps a "spare" F-18 on hand in case one of them breaks down.
But since these are SNJ-2 planes, does the Skytypers have a "spare" SNJ-2 back at FRG or would they have to go find one at one of the boneyards?

[moose135]

But since these are SNJ-2 planes, does the Skytypers have a "spare" SNJ-2 back at FRG or would they have to go find one at one of the boneyards?

Not any more. Normally, they use 5 aircraft for their sky-typing work, and 6 for airshows. As I mentioned upthread, they had an aircraft receive significant damage in a ground incident last weekend. Right now they are down to 4 aircraft.