View amazing video footage of the crash and pilot's ejection, a split second before impact.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82fdEyBkP5U

 

A split second before a CF-18 Hornet crashed to the ground in a ball of fire at the Lethbridge airport, its pilot ejected himself, sparing his life. Photographer Kurt Roy, parked on a nearby highway snapping photos of the fighter jet’s manoeuvres, said he prepared for the worst after seeing the incident unfold before his very eyes. The jet soared through the sky before nose-diving to the ground and bursting into flames. “He looked like he was coming in for a landing and absolutely veered to the right, it was spooky,” the 44-year-old said after capturing the pilot’s death-defying ordeal. “It was about 100 feet in the air and just exploded into a huge flame. Honestly, when he ejected, I thought for sure he would end up in the ball of flame. I was thinking, ‘I hope he survives,’ — thank God he’s alright.” Check link for video: http://www.calgarysun.com/news/alberta/2010/07/23/14807001.html

Calgary Herald
"This is an isolated incident with one aircraft," said LCol Midas Vogan, commanding officer of the 419 Moose Squadron based in Cold Lake. The jet crashed around noon on Friday, July 23rd, while Captain Brian Bews practised a stunt about 10 metres above the runway, according to some witnesses. He was able to eject from the twin-engined aircraft and dodge a massive fireball. The 36-year-old Bews was taken to hospital with minor injuries, and by evening was "very lucid, and very clear and comfortable," according to Vogan. Check the link for photo:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/2010wintergames/Pilot+survives+after+crashes+burns+Lethbridge+airport/3315226/story.html

CF-18 fighter jet crashes in Alberta

The top show pilot for the Canadian Forces’ CF-18 fighter jet demonstration team is alert and speaking in hospital after a crash at an Alberta air show Friday afternoon. Captain Brian Bews, 36, was piloting the jet in low-altitude manoeuvres during a test flight for an air show in Lethbridge when the plane appeared to stall, according to eyewitness accounts. Fragments were seen falling from it, witnesses said.
Capt. Bews ejected from the plane and deployed a parachute. Still, he hit the ground hard and was dragged across the runway. He was taken to a regional hospital. His injuries appear minor, but he is being held in the hospital for observation and “seems to be fine.”
A Saskatchewan native based out of 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron in Bagotville, Quebec, Captain Bews was chosen as this year’s demonstration pilot for the Air Force’s show team, “considered quite an honour among the Canadian Forces fighter community,” according to a military statement released at the time. “He’s a flyer for life. He loves what he does,” his sister-in-law said.
A spokesman at the Department of National Defence Headquarters, Lieutenant Christopher Daniel, said that an investigation is underway.
Check the link for photos:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/prairies/cf-18-fighter-jet-crashes-in-alberta/article1649943/

Pilot escapes CF-18 crash

Lethbridge Herald

Ground crews worked to clear the runway of debris, and officials hoped to be able to reopen the airport Friday night.Despite the spectacular crash of a fighter jet Friday at the Lethbridge airport, the Alberta International AirShow will go ahead as planned this weekend. The Department of National Defence is handling the investigation into the cause of the crash. Transport Canada officials also arrived Friday to monitor the situation but are leaving the investigation in the hands of the military. Immediately after the crash, the airport was locked down and closed to all air traffic. Commercial flights were held in Calgary and incoming air show acts were diverted elsewhere.
http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/content/view/213161/109/