Colorado Springs-based company manufactured ejection seat involved in Thunderbird crash

The ejection seat inside a Thunderbird that crashed on Thursday was made in Colorado Springs.

The seats are manufactured at a company called UTC Aerospace Systems, and are named “Aces II.”

“The seat is a very complicated piece of equipment; it’s part of an overall escape system. It’s got a number of pyrotechnics and rockets that make the seat function and perform,” explained Jim Patch, senior program manager for the product at UTC Aerospace Systems.

Patch was a fighter pilot for 21 years in the Air Force, and now uses his expertise at the company.

“Whenever we hear of an Aces II ejection, we’re always anxious to confirm that the seat once again performed as it should,” said Patch.

He and his crew say it’s reassuring to know they make a safe and reliable product, and it stood the test for Major Alex Turner.

“They take great pride and make sure that when and if an air crew member has to pull that ejection handle it’ll work properly.”