Local News

Actions

Report: Thunderbirds pilot passed out during maneuver before fatal crash

Posted at 1:25 PM, Oct 17, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-17 17:47:49-04

The Thunderbirds pilot who crashed and died in April apparently lost consciousness before the crash.

The 37-page Air Force Aircraft Accident Investigation Board report says that Maj. Stephen "Cajun" Del Bagno was conducting a maneuver called "High Bomb Burst Rejoin" that led to a half-loop or Split-S maneuver.

A sudden change in G-forces resulted in Del Bagno passing out.

READ FULL REPORT

A range safety officer and another pilot tried to reach the major on his radio before he crashed on the Test Range near Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs.