I just read on the site of one of my Great Reads - NeptunusLex that he has been killed in a fighter crash while landing.
"Lex, aka Carrol Lefon, crashed at NAS Fallon apparently during a landing. His Israeli F-21 Kfir jet impacted the side of a depot building and traveled about halfway in but did not explode though it may have caught fire for a short time. He apparently did not eject as most likely he wanted to avoid harm to others.
There has been no official announcement of the crash or its details from the Naval Air Station or ATAC as the investigation continues but the results remain the same and we all have lost a dear friend."
And this from a post just yesterday regarding a harrowing episode upon landing.
And this from a post just yesterday regarding a harrowing episode upon landing.
I don't know this man, and have only been reading his blog for several months, but I have to say I have tremendous respect for the man as well as his abilities at writing, giving us 'back seat' views about flying jets, and his takes on all things about Life in America. This is such a loss.
In the spirit of celebrating a person's life: If you haven't read it yet, I stumbled upon this compilation posted at his site that gives one an incredible view into life as a Naval Aviator on a Carrier. http://www.neptunuslex.com/rhythms-the-compendium/
I hope the site stays up, there is so much there to read and celebrate about this gentleman.
Some of my first thoughts include wondering why the good guys are being taken from us. Lex was a White Hat among White Hats. Memorials are being posted all over the place such as Blackfive, also on the right sidebar.
I have to say, his is one blog that you could read from post number 1 to the present and not feel like you wasted any time regardless of your interest in Jet Fighters.
Update: Not that it will bring this man back to his family, but there have now been some follow up stories and this picture of the accident scene.
It appears multiple mechanical failures were a part of this accident.
It looks like the drag chute is 5 or 10? % deployed.
The landing gear is retracted, maybe it retracted after impact with the building(Seems unlikely with locking mechanisms designed in) but if not, then there was no ability to steer the aircraft on the ground, so why stay in it? If that's true, did the ejection seat mechanism also fail?
An investigation is in progress, and I have no doubt whatever facts are available will be brought to the surface.
How sad! I got an email from a friend this morning telling me about this blog and how awful the blogger's passing is (leaving 2 children behind) and I went on the link and saw "KID" as a commenter so I clicked on that and it's you! And there you are talking about it.
ReplyDeleteThis is awful.
Breitbart and this guy.........within a week of each other.
I'd never heard of him before, but it sounds like I missed something while he was blogging..darn.
xxx
Hi Z, If you get a chance and have the interest, go through a few of his posts. I sure looked forward to reading him every day.
DeleteThey keep taking the good ones !
xxx
Very sad to hear. I checked out his blog and he certainly was an excellent writer. Condolences to his family and to his many readers.
ReplyDeleteI've not read it I'll go check it out, Kid.
ReplyDeleteIf you have the time that fist link -Rythms- is worth a read.
DeleteI - too- just recently discovered "Lex's" site- you know how I love fighter planes and those who fly them--
ReplyDeleteHe had some powerful takes -on his site---
My first reaction to the crash of his jet was-sabotage-
I know how careful a pilot must be when checking one's plane-
He would have been very careful-since he trained other pilots how to properly execute battle formations...and maneuvers...
Sad - I never used to react that way-
I rambling-& it's late-
Carol-CS
I'm sure it wasn't sabotage. It sure seemed like multiple mechanical failures though.
ReplyDeleteHe had a huge following. It was apparent the man did exude excellence in everything he did. It took a while to sink in. You'd think worst case is eject.