Post by M. Hawbaker on Jul 23, 2021 15:46:38 GMT
A plane spotter who alerted an airbase to a jet "malfunction" averted a potential disaster, its pilot said.
Ian Simpson called RAF Lakenheath after seeing flames and sparks come out of Maj Grant Thompson's F-15E Strike Eagle on take-off.
Photographer Mr Simpson regularly watches jets take off from the United States Air Force base in Suffolk.
The pilot said Mr Simpson's quick actions had "100%" saved his life, adding: "His initiative was awesome."
Mr Simpson said he called the base's switch board and was put through to flight control, who alerted the pilot.
"It was quite shocking really. You do see flames called an afterburner, which they use to take off," Mr Simpson said.
"But that is normally turned off as soon as they leave the runway."
Maj Grant Thompson said he had no idea there was an issue with the jet.
www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-57927801
Ian Simpson called RAF Lakenheath after seeing flames and sparks come out of Maj Grant Thompson's F-15E Strike Eagle on take-off.
Photographer Mr Simpson regularly watches jets take off from the United States Air Force base in Suffolk.
The pilot said Mr Simpson's quick actions had "100%" saved his life, adding: "His initiative was awesome."
Mr Simpson said he called the base's switch board and was put through to flight control, who alerted the pilot.
"It was quite shocking really. You do see flames called an afterburner, which they use to take off," Mr Simpson said.
"But that is normally turned off as soon as they leave the runway."
Maj Grant Thompson said he had no idea there was an issue with the jet.
www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-57927801
