On 23 July 2010, a dangerous tragedy happened with CF-18 fighter jet while conducting an air-show practice flight at an Alberta International Airport in Lethbridge. Before the CF-18 fighter jet exploded into flames on effect, Pilot Capt. Brian Bews was able to jump out from the jet. He injured lightly and expected to remain in hospital under observation for a few more days said Capt. Nicole Meszaros a military spokeswoman. Watch Leaderpost F18 Crash in Alberta video from YouTube

The incident occurred at midday when Capt. Brian Bews was piloting the CF-18 Hornet that was set to be a part of the Alberta International Air Show. A spokeswoman for 1 Canadian Air Division Capt. Holly Brown said “Brian Bews is a demonstration pilot for that specific aircraft, noting his vast experience.” Bews grew up on a farm in Eatonia, Saskatchewan, near Saskatoon; in 1995 he began flying in Okotoks, Alberta, and also earned his private flying.

Like any of our F-18 pilots, Capt. Bews is highly trained, highly skilled and highly capable said Capt. Brown and he added "It's a long journey to become an F-18 pilot, and our demo pilots are exceptionally proven. It's an honour to be selected as a demo pilot.”

"Unfortunately today, something happened. He was going through his practice sessions and something happened. He had to eject and the aircraft impacted the airfield."

The CF-18 fighter jet was about 30 metres from the ground when pilot ejected, he could be seen coming to rest just outside the ball of flame that erupted when the aircraft collided with the ground. He was then brought to hospital and his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening said RCMP

Brown would not provide details on the condition of pilot, citing the Privacy Act he said “We’re just really thankful that he’s OK,” Brown said “the whether investigated by the Department of National Defence’s Flight Safety Team which was not clear the plane ran into trouble during mid-air manoeuvres, or on takeoff or landing”

When Private pilot Nathaniel Lockheart who watching the practice runs noticed something was wrong. "He came in right over us, probably only 100 to 200 feet high,” he said. “It looked like he lost power out of his right engine. Only one afterburner was on and it was burning red hot.” "He looked very close to stalling. I knew what was going to happen: he wasn’t going to make it out of this one."

Bews was dangerously close the massive fireball when he ejected, the parachute didn’t appear to open fully and Lockheart ran to help."It looked like he was in the fire,” he said. “We jumped the barbed wire fence to see if we could help.” He saw as the pilot stood up and gathered his crumpled parachute luckily. He said "That’s one of my favourite airplanes and to actually see one crash is just unreal,”

To read more visit http://www.globalwinnipeg.com/world/Crash+pilot+Alberta+hospital+observation/3319518/story.html

Leaderpost F18 Crash in Alberta: Video form YouTube

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