MiG-21 Jet Blast Causes Midair Breakup of Piper Cheyenne! скачать в хорошем качестве

MiG-21 Jet Blast Causes Midair Breakup of Piper Cheyenne!

On October 18, 2006, a Piper PA-42 Cheyenne III (tail number N121CS), operating under Part 91 for an aerial photography mission, was destroyed when it experienced an in-flight breakup northeast of Prescott, Arizona. Tragically, the accident claimed the lives of the highly experienced pilot and four passengers. The flight, conducted under visual flight rules, was coordinated for the purpose of photographing a privately owned MiG-21UM (N211UT). The MiG pilot had reported a possible landing gear anomaly shortly after departure from Ernest A. Love Field (KPRC). The Cheyenne maneuvered to visually inspect the MiG from behind and below. Radar data later confirmed that the Cheyenne descended into a position approximately 100 feet below and directly behind the MiG while both aircraft were in a continuous 30-degree right-hand turn at around 9,000 feet MSL and 200 knots. This placed the Cheyenne in direct line with the MiG’s powerful jet exhaust, which investigators believe may have caused significant turbulence and aerodynamic disturbance. Moments later, the MiG pilot lost visual contact with the Cheyenne. A brief radio transmission from the Cheyenne pilot referencing the MiG’s right landing gear was abruptly cut off. The aircraft never responded again. Wreckage analysis revealed that the Cheyenne’s T-tail empennage—including the horizontal stabilizer, elevator, and upper vertical fin—had completely separated from the aircraft in flight. The separation occurred approximately half a mile from the main wreckage site. There was no evidence of structural fatigue, corrosion, or contact between the two aircraft. The NTSB determined that the empennage likely failed due to aerodynamic forces exceeding the design limits of the airframe. This video reconstructs the timeline of this tragic event using actual NTSB investigation findings, ATC recordings, radar data, and expert analysis. It serves as a solemn reminder of the risks inherent in close-proximity operations and the importance of formation safety procedures, even in seemingly benign VFR conditions. 📘 Source: National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Accident Report – LAX07FA012 Probable Cause and Findings The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The failure of the pilot following a jet aircraft to maintain adequate separation from the high velocity jet core exhaust. The separation of the T-tail upper section vertical stabilizer of the following aircraft due to contact with the high velocity jet core exhaust was a factor. If you like our contents please SUBSCRIBE to our channel    / @flight_follower   All videos are licensed under Creative Commons or used under YT quidelines of 'Fair Use'i do not own or claim any video. credits goes to respective owners. if you have your videos used and want to make a change email me. so that we can solve the issue. The ATC audio is downloaded from Liveatc.net Email us at [email protected]