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Marine pilot loses command after ejecting from F-35B that kept flying

marinecorpstimes.com

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Re: Marine pilot loses command after ejecting from F-35B that kept flying

#41

Post by hluska »

Here is a military.com article with more information on the crash:

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/10/31/pilot-of-f-35...

There are two interesting additions in this version:

1.) A discussion on spatial disorientation.

2.) Comments by the Colonel’s wife, who discussed how they uprooted their lives in Virginia (almost a year after the crash) after being assured that the crash would not impact his command. Three months after getting to Yuma, there was an “oops sorry” and they removed the Colonel from command. However, they did offer him his choice of a next assignment.

Re: Marine pilot loses command after ejecting from F-35B that kept flying

#42

Post by Brian_K_White »

LanceH wrote: post #27
dragonwriter wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He was, and was fired from his role as, commander of Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VMX-1), which exists largely to validate and update “the book” for the rest of Corps. So, if there is any position where simply “following the book” isn’t adequate to keep one’s job, it kind of makes sense that his was that position.

100% pure speculation: I'm trying to read between the lines one this one. He's a Colonel and in command. How much flying does he do normally? Is he just keeping up flying to get the flight pay? Just up there flying because he can? Or was this a regularly scheduled training mission? This wouldn't be the first case of someone flying beyond their actual role. They are never found at fault -- their career is just deraile…

I can't imagine any military pilot flying for the pay. They fly because it's their very identity. Being grounded is worse than being fired or even jailed.

Re: Marine pilot loses command after ejecting from F-35B that kept flying

#43

Post by drivingmenuts »

in any situation where you "serve at the pleasure of" another person. you can literally be removed for any or even no reason at all. the person who decides to discontinue your service might themself have to answer to someone else, but you're still out of a job.

it might not be right or fair, but that's not necessarily a disqualified in the military.

Re: Marine pilot loses command after ejecting from F-35B that kept flying

#44

Post by chinathrow »

Manuel_D wrote: post #18
synapsomorphy wrote: post #7

The report criticizes the pilot for ejecting, but also says he did everything by the book (F35 manual), but the book was wrong. And the pilot should've figured that out? Feels like they just need someone to blame for losing the plane.

> Del Pizzo’s F-35B malfunctioned and its primary displays and communications cut out as Del Pizzo was attempting to land through rain at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. However, the report said its standby flight display and backup communication system “remained basically functional.” > The report said Del Pizzo followed the F-35B manual’s recommendations for ejecting from an out-of-control jet but also criti…

Setting correct pitch and power using the standby instruments should be enough then?

Seen on the lower right part of the center console: https://img.militaryaerospace.com/files/base/ebm/mae/image/2...

Re: Marine pilot loses command after ejecting from F-35B that kept flying

#45

Post by Tuna-Fish »

LanceH wrote: post #27
dragonwriter wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He was, and was fired from his role as, commander of Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VMX-1), which exists largely to validate and update “the book” for the rest of Corps. So, if there is any position where simply “following the book” isn’t adequate to keep one’s job, it kind of makes sense that his was that position.

100% pure speculation: I'm trying to read between the lines one this one. He's a Colonel and in command. How much flying does he do normally? Is he just keeping up flying to get the flight pay? Just up there flying because he can? Or was this a regularly scheduled training mission? This wouldn't be the first case of someone flying beyond their actual role. They are never found at fault -- their career is just deraile…

In any other squadron, you'd have a point... but it's the VMX-1.

It's staffed by very experienced pilots, often of rank and age past the point where people would normally actually fly planes, whose job is to fly the planes, figure out how they are supposed to be flown, and teach this to everyone else.

Re: Marine pilot loses command after ejecting from F-35B that kept flying

#47

Post by dangle1 »

justsomehnguy wrote: post #30
Manuel_D wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Del Pizzo’s F-35B malfunctioned and its primary displays and communications cut out as Del Pizzo was attempting to land through rain at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. However, the report said its standby flight display and backup communication system “remained basically functional.” > The report said Del Pizzo followed the F-35B manual’s recommendations for ejecting from an out-of-control jet but also criti…

> This is still definitely an aircraft that can land safely. This is not a prop plane. It's a heavy jet which should be almost stalling to land safely . Tower guys can roughly guide you on the course and speed but there would be at least 1-2 seconds lag between the reading, reading and acting. I wouldn't say what you can "definitely land safely " in these conditions.

Interesting detail in TFA is that the pilot had converted to the plane's short take off and vertical landing mode, but instead carried out a missed approach procedure when his helmet-mounted display malfunctioned.

Re: Marine pilot loses command after ejecting from F-35B that kept flying

#48

Post by hluska »

serf wrote: post #39
jonas21 wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Also note that he wasn't fired specifically due to ejecting -- he was fired "for loss of trust and confidence in his ability to execute the responsibilities of his command." And the investigation was completed back in January, so before he assumed command of the squadron. It wouldn't surprise me if the test pilots serving under him did not respect or trust his judgement, and this is what led to his firing rather than…

that's the same boiler-plate reason they give for every firing due to an embarrassing mishap. google 'for loss of trust and confidence in his ability military' and look at the news tab, every embarrassment to a military group gets thrown that bone.

Loss of trust and confidence is huge in military (and adjacent) circles. Many of these roles involve ordering others into situations that are likely fatal.

There’s no boilerplate involved. Trust and confidence are immense in command roles, particularly in a role like CO of a trust and evaluation squadron.

It’s also important to note that the Marine Corps itself did not lose trust in Colonel Del Pizzo - as per this article he was offered follow-on orders of his choice.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/10/31/pilot-of-f-35...

Re: Marine pilot loses command after ejecting from F-35B that kept flying

#50

Post by ics »

kevin_thibedeau wrote: post #40
Manuel_D wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Del Pizzo’s F-35B malfunctioned and its primary displays and communications cut out as Del Pizzo was attempting to land through rain at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. However, the report said its standby flight display and backup communication system “remained basically functional.” > The report said Del Pizzo followed the F-35B manual’s recommendations for ejecting from an out-of-control jet but also criti…

The problem seems to be a pilot from AZ unaccustomed to flying in heavy rain with insufficient practice using the backup instruments.

The pilot is from Atlanta, GA. His assignment to VMX-1 in Arizona happened after the investigation as noted in the article.
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