On September 24, 1972, a private company, Canadair Saber Mk. 5 jets piloted by Richard Bingham failed to take off when leaving the "Golden West Sport Aviation Air Show" in Sacramento, the Executive Airport of California, crashed into Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor. Twenty-two people were killed and twenty-eight people were injured. The accident remains the third deadliest plane crash in the United States involving casualties on the ground, following the WWF crash of USF KC-135 in 1965, and the 1994 Green Road disaster, which killed 23 and 24 people on land, respectively.
Video 1972 Sacramento Canadair Sabre accident
Accident
The jet failed to get enough height at takeoff, with eyewitnesses showing too many noses playing. Saber F-86 has dangerous handling characteristics and is often fatal at takeoff if the nose is raised prematurely from the runway. Characteristics of handling F-86 is recognized since the early 1950s.
The plane flew over the runway, crashed into a clay embankment, and tore the chain fence. Two external underwing fuel tanks broke and ignited when hit by a fence, creating a large fireball. The plane continued across Freeport Boulevard, crashed into a moving car, and struck the local Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor (240 km/h) at approximately 4:25 pm. The living room is partly occupied by the Sacramento 49ers "Little League" football team.
Twenty-two people died, including twelve children. An eight-year-old survivor of the accident lost nine family members: two parents, two brothers, a sister, two grandparents and two cousins. A family of four also died in the crash. Two people were killed in a car crashing into Freeport Boulevard. Immediately after the accident, an elderly couple trying to cross the road to where the plane crashed was hit by a vehicle, killing his wife. The accident could have killed more casualties if the external fuel tank did not break before the collision occurred, or if the jet was not slowed by crashing into a moving car and another vehicle parked in front of the restaurant. The pilot suffered a broken leg and broke his arm.
Maps 1972 Sacramento Canadair Sabre accident
Aircraft
The Canadair Saber is a single jet fighter engine built for the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1959. Saber was withdrawn from service in 1961 and placed in long-term storage. It was sold as a surplus in the United States in 1971 and purchased by Spectrum Air, Inc., from Novato, California in the same year.
Aftermath
The National Transportation Safety Council concluded that the accident was a result of pilot error due to lack of experience on the jet. Bingham was logged less than four hours of flying time in Saber. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) modifies the rules governing runaway ex-military jets in densely populated areas, and mandates permission for such flights. The requirements of the pilots are also tightened: they will require inspection by the manufacturer or the military, and takeoffs and landings must be performed by the FAA inspector to ensure proficiency.
The Firefighters Burn Institute was instituted a year after the accident, funded from donations given to local firefighters.
Memorial
In 2002, a memorial was built at the crash site and dedicated in March 2003. It consists of: a rose garden with two benches, a fountain, concrete markers and two metal plaques with the names of those who died.
In 2012, a service to commemorate the 40th anniversary was held to remember the victims of the accident.
References
External links
- Photo accident gallery at The Sacramento Bee
- NTSB Aircraft Accident Report (archive)
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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