The Canadian Air Force flight safety investigation into the accident that killed Canadian Forces Snowbird pilot Capt. Shawn McCaughey on May 18 at Malmstrom AFB, Mont., found that his seat belt “became unfastened.” At the time, McCaughey and teammates were practicing for an aerial demonstration at Malmstrom. The investigation summary notes that initial analysis shows McCaughey fell out of his seat during an inverted roll maneuver, causing him “to lose control of the aircraft.” The investigation into why the seat belt became unfastened is still ongoing.
Members of the Air Force Reserve’s 920th Rescue Wing helped save 11 airplane crash survivors off the coast of Florida on May 12. The Reserve Airmen were flying an HC-130J Combat King II and an HH-60W Jolly Green II on a routine training flight when a Coast Guard call diverted…