Ground ejection at RNLAF Leeuwarden

[halfpenny43]

https://nos.nl/artikel/2387459-f-16-boort-zich-in-...

Interesting article from here in NL (sorry - in Dutch).
A Belgian F-16 was on the ground at RNLAF Leeuwarden when shortly after starting it's engine it seemed to accelerate by itself into a nearby building, injuring the crew chief who was tending the aircraft.
Just before hitting the building the pilot ejected, landing just outside the base and was slightly injured.

[voram]

Brake problem? I guess those engines are putting out a fair amount of thrust straight from start-up.

[MarkwG]

voram said:

Brake problem? I guess those engines are putting out a fair amount of thrust straight from start-up.

Possibly, but since the pilot ejected the brakes are largely redundant, once he's gone. The press articles seem to say "during take off", but whether that means what it actually says, who knows. I would guess at a major failure during the take off roll, perhaps a bird strike maybe which caused the ejection: the collision with the building was the after effect of that.

[Simpo Two]

Left it in gear. Always put it in neutral before starting the engine.

[phumy]

He wasn't employing the cadence clutch techniques properly.

[832ark]

Simpo Two said:

Left it in gear. Always put it in neutral before starting the engine.

Make sure throttle is at idle rather than reheat before engine start