wing snaps off plane, whole-plane parachute deploys safely

[melbakid]

Worst nightmare at an airshow...made me gasp and knew it was coming. Thank goodness for that kind of Tech now days!! Dad and I witnessed the Thunderbird crash during practice at Hamilton back when they flew the led sleds for a year...first time I ever saw my dad cry...me too off and on for days. Long history with them and our family. Seen 3 crashes in my days...never want to see another. Hopefully tech like this keeps being added.

My father was stationed at Hamilton AFB, CA at the time of that crash. He had called the house to let the kids know the T-Birds were going to be out practicing. We lived in the old "500" area housing on the base and had climbed up the hill with a tower to watch the flying. The jets where flying north towards Novato on the east side of Hwy 101. One of the jets started losing power and altitude. There were bunkers at the north end of the base that looked like hills the jet went toward it and then behind it and crashed and all you could see was a big ball of fire and smoke. A few seconds latter you could hear the explosion, really rattle the base! Like you said it brought tears to my eyes also. I believe I was 11 or 12 at the time.