Retired Air Force pilot offers perspective on Thunderbird crash
After seven decades and more than 17,000 hours in the air, octagenarian Al Uhalt calls the pilot’s seat his second home.
“I look forward every day to going to work,” Uhalt said.
Uhalt believes that moment when a pilot realizes there’s something wrong in the air, there’s a series of emotions he or she goes through often lasting several minutes before the pilot realizes he or she has to land the plane and land it safely.
“The element of surprise lasts quite awhile,” he said. “Then it’s something like denial, this can’t be happening to me. Then, it’s I’ve got to take care of whatever, whatever is happening.”
Under extraordinary pressure, Uhalt thinks Maj. Alex Turner’s skill and ability is second to none.
“The way I see it he did a tremendous job, getting the airplane down, away from an inhabited area,” Uhalt said. The airplane they’re looking for is almost intact. I’m sure the evidence they’re looking for will be there.”
The NTSB is not involved in this investigation because the crash involved a military plane. Instead, Air Combat Command will form a safety investigation board to search for answers.
