Jet Fighter Accidentally Shoots Tower

[Mickey1992]

Friday February 23 10:48 AM ET
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - A German Tornado jet fighter accidentally opened fire on a Dutch military flight tower during a routine training mission, the Dutch defense ministry says.

No one was injured in the incident at North Sea island of Vlieland, although three people were inside the tower when it was hit by seven 27-millimeter rounds fired by the Tornado's wing cannons, a spokesman for the defense ministry said.

The cause of the accidental shooting was not immediately clear, the spokesman said Thursday.

``They are examining the case now,'' he said.

The 15-meter tower was struck about midway up, well below the glass-enclosed area occupied by the three people, he added.

German and Dutch pilots routinely use the island for maneuvers with live ammunition. The western half of the island is owned by the Dutch government, and the closest town is about six miles from the site.
 http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010223/od/jet_dc_1.html

[AKDejaVu]

Couldn't help but think that if this were a US fighter, they would have replaced the word "accidentally" with "negligently".

AKDejaVu

[AKDejaVu]

And on a lighter somewhat more morbid not:

I can't help but think that if it were a US fighter, he wouldn't have missed low

AKDejaVu

[Mk10 225th]

 

Mk

[Toad]

Step 1. Point aircraft at tower

Step 2. Line up tower in pipper

Step 3. Put finger on trigger

Step 4. Wonder just why the H*LL I did THAT!

In other words, what was HE thinking?

 

Always more to the story than you hear at first though.

[Swoop]

Hur hur hur.

I work with a Dutch lad, when I mentioned this to him he went off in a speel of pigeon English and Dutch about the Germans re-invading Holland and to "Give us our bikes back."  LMAO.

 

[This message has been edited by Swoop (edited 02-23-2001).]

[Wmaker]

 

Originally posted by AKDejaVu:
Couldn't help but think that if this were a US fighter, they would have replaced the word "accidentally" with "negligently".

And why do you think that is?? I think there are US military pilots that have this well earned by their own actions. No need to feel pity or think it should be any other way really. All in all this is your own assumption but as I said: Even if it would be so I think it's pretty much justyfied.


 

Originally posted by AKDejaVu:
And on a lighter somewhat more morbid not:
I can't help but think that if it were a US fighter, he wouldn't have missed low  

No matter how jokingly you said this you might want to take a moment to rethink it a bit. No offense, but atleast to me this didn't sound too cool at all.

1Wmaker1
Lentolaivue 34

[Fishu]

Let's say it this way:

If it would been dutch fighter shooting US tower, it would had caused alot whine in the US.

 

now whats the problem here?
people always cries when foreigners does bad in their beloved country.

[AKDejaVu]

Actually Fishu, we don't let the Dutch carry bullets in the US for that very reason

AKDejaVU

[AKDejaVu]

 

And why do you think that is?? I think there are US military pilots that have this well earned by their own actions.

Typical Eurotrash comment.

AKDejaVu

[AKDejaVu]

By the way, a fighter flying at low level in an unauthorized zone and clipping a cable IS neglegence.  It was also an accident.  Anyone that has any experience with low-level flight knows how easy this mistake would be to make.

A fighter accidently discharging its cannons at a control tower is also neglegence.  I'm sure it too was an accident.  Anyone that has done any work with aircraft weapons systems knows how diffilult this would be to pull off.

It just amazes me that people distinguish between the two as if somehow, magically, one should be held accountable.. the other can be forgiven.  Those people I dub Eurotrash.  Especially those that talk about how the US "earned" their reputation, but somehow believe their own past is irrelevant.

AKDejaVu

[Tac]

Hehe, not to mention the 10X steps they need to arm the weapons, aim them, lign up with target... heeheee

I'd say someone's map was FUBAR'D  

[Wmaker]

 

Originally posted by AKDejaVu:
By the way, a fighter flying at low level in an unauthorized zone and clipping a cable IS neglegence.  It was also an accident.  Anyone that has any experience with low-level flight knows how easy this mistake would be to make.

When thing like that happens in an unauthorized zone and lot of innocent people die it's more than just "neglegence" and indeed no accident. And there hasn't been just one case of this kind. I've seen uncovered video-footage taken during one of these flights. There were pilots actually competing who can fly under, closest to the cable. US military pilots had a nice little competition in an unauthorized zone and many people die. That's not an accident, not by a longshot. So it indeed is a reputation well earned.

 

Originally posted by AKDejaVu:
It just amazes me that people distinguish between the two as if somehow, magically, one should be held accountable.. the other can be forgiven.  Those people I dub Eurotrash.  Especially those that talk about how the US "earned" their reputation, but somehow believe their own past is irrelevant.

Huh?!? Problems with reading comprehension AKDejaVu?? Where did I state that the other should be forgiven?? I think no one can say anything about that Tornado-case basing their statement on that piece of news, not enough facts/info there. And about the past...We can start talking about the past of the finnish military flying for example. I've read describtions of every accident that has happened to a Finnish Air Force aircraft between 1939-1989. There's not a single case that involves neglegence like the one that happened to that US pilot in Italy. So sure AKDejaVu, lets start talking about OUR past.

 

Originally posted by AKDejaVu:
I can't help but think that if it were a US fighter, he wouldn't have missed low  

I still think this quote shows your attitude better than anything on this thread.

 

Originally posted by AKDejaVu:
Typical Eurotrash comment.

I don't think this even deserves a reply...

"Never argue with idiots they just drag you to their own level and win you there with experience."

1Wmaker1
Lentolaivue 34

[AKDejaVu]

 

There's not a single case that involves neglegence like the one that happened to that US pilot in Italy. So sure AKDejaVu, lets start talking about OUR past.

Ah.. so firing at a manned tower is COMPLETELY different.  Of course.. that's only because he missed.  Sometime, think about what it takes to aim a reticle at the target, select the weapon and fire it.  Then think about what it takes to come up on a 2" cable at 500 IAS.  The loss of life is not the only thing makes it neglegence.

Finnish pilots aren't ever neglegent.. there's always a perfectly reasonable explanation as to why things happen.. especially if you're Finnish.

I've yet to meet the country that has fighter pilots that aren't brash or arrogant.. that aren't hot-dogs and are all totally by the book.

The US flies a considerable ammount of sorties over Europe.  The reasons why these are necessary are irrelevant in this context, but lets just say that if you were to compare them to the ammount Finland flies... the handsomehunk/sortie factor would be comparable.

And, by the way.. there's not a single case in US history comparable to what happened in Itally either.  The thing is, how many sorties did it take for that kind of tragedy to occur?  Stack that up against how many sorties your mighty air-force has flown.

The only real difference is in perspective and perception.  People from Europe aren't Eurotrash.. just people with the attitude that America deserves to be labled and have bad things happen to it.

AKDejaVu

[bowser]

AKDejavu,

A few questions:

Are you not allowed to talk at home or work?
Is there a BBS rule that stipulates you must contribute to every thread?  Is there anything you don't have an opinion on?

Just wondering.  

bowser