Decorated Air Force instructor pilot killed by ejection seat activation while plane was on ground

SHEPPARD, TEXAS: An Air Force instructor pilot died from his injuries after his plane’s ejection seat activated while on the ground on Monday, May 13 at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, as per NBC 5. 

The base announced in a release on Tuesday that Captain John Robertson of the 80th Operations Support Squadron passed away on Tuesday morning, May 14th.

He had sustained severe injuries when the ejection seat of the T-6A Texan II aircraft he was seated in activated during ground operations.

'Captain Robertson was a highly valued airman'

“This is a devastating loss for Captain Robertson’s family and loved ones, and for the entire 80th Flying Training Wing,” Col Mitchell Cok, the acting wing commander, said in the release.

He added, “Captain Robertson was a highly valued airman and instructor pilot. Our deepest condolences go with all who knew and loved him.”

“We are thankful for the M1 maintenance team who immediately provided live-sustaining care, and for the heroic efforts of the security forces, fire and medical personnel here on base and at United Regional Hospital,” Cok further stated. “Their efforts allowed time for Captain Robertson’s family to be at his side when he passed.”

According to Sheppard spokesman George Woodward, who spoke with Air Force Times on Tuesday, a student who was also aboard the aircraft did not eject and emerged unscathed.

Woodward mentioned that the agency has not confirmed whether the aircraft was in motion at the time of the incident.

The Tuesday release indicated that an Air Force safety investigation board is expected to be formed later this week, subsequent to the immediate activation of an interim safety board investigation following the incident.

Following the conclusion of the investigation, the board will make its report public.

For over four decades, the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program, a vital educational pathway, has been providing new combat pilots to the transatlantic alliance. This program operates within the 80th Flying Training Wing, serving as its cornerstone.

The wing has trained more than half of all US Air Force fighter pilots, as well as aviators hailing from Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

Since its establishment in 1981, the joint program has produced over 8,000 pilots, highlighting its significant contribution. This mission is increasingly crucial as NATO strengthens its defenses in reaction to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The military grounded hundreds of training planes and other airframes almost two years ago over concerns that their ejection seats might malfunction in an emergency. This week's fatality arises from the same problem.

Martin-Baker, the manufacturer of ejection seats used in aircraft such as the T-6 and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, identified defects in some of the cartridges responsible for propelling aviators out of the cockpit.

Despite this, there has been no comment from Martin-Baker at the time of writing.

People mourn the death of Captain Robertson

A YouTube user mourned the death of Robertson saying, "Very sad. The seats aren't supposed to be armed until the pilot is strapped in. Crew chiefs and/or pilots themselves should verify this safety is on after every flight, and once again before the aircrews enter the aircraft." [sic]

Another user said, "Maybe we should spend more money on maintenance personnel and less money weapons for countries that can afford nationalized healthcare. When we can’t"  [sic]

A user said, "This is so sad.. RIP." Another user said, "Condolences to family." [sic]

A user said, "Accidents like these don’t just happen, the marine pilot ejection seat was a lot like this." 

Another user said, "Poor guy we can't keep up with the maintenance on these planes."

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