Dale "Snort" Snodgrass killed in crash

[TC215]

One of the best to ever do it.

https://i2.wp.com/theaviationist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Snort-Demo.jpg


https://theaviationgeekclub.com/dale-snort-snodgrass-legendary-us-navy-f-14-tomcat-pilot-killed-in-in-the-crash-of-a-siai-marchetti-sm-1019/

[Suvorov]

Very sad.

Blue Skies and Fair Winds……

[Balisong]

Sounds like an amazing pilot. RIP, sir.

[Greg]

Sad news indeed.

RIP

[rainman]

The "LSO Banana Pass" pic is as iconic as the Tomcat IMNSHO. Both he and the aircraft have left a lasting impression.

RIP.


-Rainman

[camel]

I had a poster of that in my bedroom in high school.

RIP

[Doc_Glock]

The "LSO Banana Pass" pic is as iconic as the Tomcat IMNSHO. Both he and the aircraft have left a lasting impression.

RIP.


-Rainman

Any idea why is it called the Banana Pass?

[eb07]

Any idea why is it called the Banana Pass?

I too wanted to know. Found this


And contrary to rumors that he was grounded for the maneuver, Snodgrass wrote in 1998 that the “banana pass” (named for its curved trajectory) was approved as part of the airshow component of a Dependents’ Day Cruise for the families of carrier personnel.

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/jul/25/tributes-pour-in-for-flying-legend-dale-snort-snod/

[Doc_Glock]

It is a sad loss. It is somewhat ironic that with all that time in high powered jets it is a small STOL aircraft that killed him.

I often joke with my kids when I see a Cub or similar flying by that they fly so slow they can "just barely kill you." I think I will reconsider the bad taste of that joke given the present loss. GJM

[TC215]

Any idea why is it called the Banana Pass?


I too wanted to know. Found this



https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2021/jul/25/tributes-pour-in-for-flying-legend-dale-snort-snod/

Yes. The photo makes it look like a knife-edge pass, but I think he did this at around 80 degrees of bank or so, in a slight turn.

[GJM]

There is a saying in aviation, that is is not the many hours of flying you have done in the past that matter as much as the minutes of flying ahead of you.

[entropy]

Initial reports I saw were a near vertical pitch up at rotation.

Guys I work with know him. It will be seen as to the ultimate cause.

[TC215]

Video has been released. Terrible.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=EvODKP32Vq4&feature=emb_title

[GJM]

My exact comment. Looks like possibly a trim problem.

[TC215]

My exact comment. Looks like possibly a trim problem.

I thought the same.

I was giving a biennial in that xCub a couple months ago, and the pilot wanted to try a short-field take-off. He inadvertently had the trim full nose-up, which I couldn’t tell from the back seat. The take-off was exciting to say the least, but I was able to get the nose down before he killed us. But it could have easily turned out just like that video.

[entropy]

Spoke with a friend/acquaintance of him today. The airplane in question has a unique control lock which engages both the flight controls and brakes/rudder pedals. Not likely the issue. Some speculation around the seat track (akin to Cessna issue) but not enough known. Fella I spoke with said the last time they met up was to go take a MiG 21 for a spin in NH.

Sad loss.

[AKDoug]

Spoke with a friend/acquaintance of him today. The airplane in question has a unique control lock which engages both the flight controls and brakes/rudder pedals. Not likely the issue. Some speculation around the seat track (akin to Cessna issue) but not enough known. Fella I spoke with said the last time they met up was to go take a MiG 21 for a spin in NH.

Sad loss. My first un-educated reaction was the Cessna seat track issue.

[Cory]

I had a poster of that in my bedroom in high school.

RIP

I had that poster too. I wanted to fly Tomcats, but it didn't turn out that way and I went Army.

Difficult to watch the video knowing he was as experienced as a pilot gets.

[ST911]

I had the privilege of spending an afternoon with Snort some years ago. Quite a guy.

Check out Ward Carroll's youtube channel for some awesome naval aviation (esp F-14) content, along with topical and tribute videos on Snort: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiUteckG37fXz0g5h8iZ_0g

[El Cid]

I’m sure every field is different. But is a 4 minute response for fire trucks normal?

[GJM]

I’m sure every field is different. But is a 4 minute response for fire trucks normal?

I think the key is every field is different. Sure seemed to take forever, watching the video. Of course 15 seconds is too long when an aircraft with people inside is burning up.

[entropy]

Airplanes can be an unforgiving bitch.

[Coyotesfan97]

I’m sure every field is different. But is a 4 minute response for fire trucks normal?

We have a smaller commercial airport that has a fire station on the outskirts of it. There’s a dedicated, specialized fire truck for airplane crashes with a two man crew. There’s also an engine truck. The engine truck and crew respond to calls while the dedicated truck stays in the station. If the engine truck is on a call it might be three to four minutes before another engine can respond and assist the dedicated truck and it’s crew. The dedicated truck is going to be on scene rapidly to put the fire out.

[entropy]

One of the issues that arose from the Asiana crash at SFO was the response time to the approach end of the main runways. The fire station was/is located at the far end of the runways up where the UAL hangars are located. That’s a LONG way. As a result, there was an additional firehouse located at the approach end of the 01’s now.

[El Cid]

Report was released. RIP Snort.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9LY4dngI17c&t=219s

[ccmdfd]

Report was released. RIP Snort.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9LY4dngI17c&t=219s

Damn! Such a tragic loss from such a simple mistake.

[TC215]

Spoke with a friend/acquaintance of him today. The airplane in question has a unique control lock which engages both the flight controls and brakes/rudder pedals. Not likely the issue. Some speculation around the seat track (akin to Cessna issue) but not enough known. Fella I spoke with said the last time they met up was to go take a MiG 21 for a spin in NH.

Sad loss.

Ended up being the issue. Very sad.