Thunder Over Michigan 2023

Xray · Post by **Xray** » Mon Aug 14, 2023 1:05 am

I was there, yesterday he requested to do 4 passes and they told him 3, 2 F-35's had launched an hour before and were returning to Ypsi and they didn't want him to get in the way [same scenario today], I was disappointed as the 23 is a kick to see in the air.

Today he did I would say 3 or 4 rip roaring passes right over my sun tent, he banked to my left and sometimes I follow jets like this as long as I can see them, sometimes not. I tracked him for a while and saw a clear puff of black smoke, wasn't all that close and his rear was not facing me so I didn't hear anything ,,, But airboss or tower said "Mig 23, say type of emergency" [I didn't hear him declare emergency, must have been scanning and missed it] That caught my attention obviously and I said to my uncle, hey, the Mig declared an emergency. Tower said again, Mig 23, are you declaring an emergency ?

There was no reply to either query, as he was saying this the Mig slowed down drastically, never good to see a hot jet slow down [I think they had ejected just before I saw this, which explains why airboss got no reply]. The jet then did a slight left bank and went nose down and was seconds from impact, as this point I looked away, didn't want to see him crash. When I looked again there was a roiling cloud of black smoke ,, I didn't see any ejections and was under the impression they both went in because I saw no chutes, so was very depressed until I heard on the scanner that they were pulled from the lake, and there were no casualties on the ground.

I drove by the crash scene an hour later, looks like a near miracle the jet missed the apartment complexes all around .

Cipher_2003 · Post by **Cipher_2003** » Mon Aug 14, 2023 1:50 am

From the videos I've seen, the engine was still running when they ejected. I'm glad no one was hurt, even a Flogger is more replaceable than human life.

Iamwiz82 · Post by **Iamwiz82** » Mon Aug 14, 2023 3:47 am

This is definitely an air show moment I never want to experience first hand. Having only been at the Sunday morning show it still hit too close to home for us. My sons got such a kick out of the MIG 23 in the morning because of the brake chute. Then the announcers poked fun that they deployed a 15 passenger van to go retrieve it rather than something faster and how they were holding up the show.

Definitely a pit of the stomach feeling when I saw the breaking news headline.

Mlamb99 · Post by **Mlamb99** » Mon Aug 14, 2023 4:38 am

I saw the performance on Saturday and did Night shoots with the Mig and the pilots. I was really pleased to hear that they ejected and that there were no fatalities. I remember looking the jet over in the morning and just was amazed at how it was built. What a tragic loss and I hope that this will not negatively impact this show or others. My best wishes to the pilots.

kalamazookid · Post by **kalamazookid** » Mon Aug 14, 2023 12:30 pm

Extremely thankful that the pilots and everyone on the ground is ok! That could have been so much worse, especially considering how close the crash was to apartments, other residences and I-94.

Xray · Post by **Xray** » Mon Aug 14, 2023 8:10 pm

Officials: Engine failure caused jet to crash at Michigan air show; pilot was injured
Pilot seriously injured, crew member has minor injuries

https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/loc ... s-injured/

Airplanefreak2000 · Post by **Airplanefreak2000** » Tue Aug 15, 2023 4:06 am

Not much to say. We all know the Mig went down. The show I thought was better than listed with random things added in to enhance it. I'll start some pics.

martin_sam_2000 · Post by **martin_sam_2000** » Tue Aug 15, 2023 2:14 pm

A few of mine..

full album here:

https://www.martinsammodels.com/Webpage ... oM/ToM.htm

FlyRed · Post by **FlyRed** » Tue Aug 15, 2023 4:12 pm

As always, it was great to see so many familiar faces. Thank you all for such an enjoyable weekend and hope to see you again next year, if not sooner.