Famous Top Gun Pilot Dies in Plane Crash

On Oct 20, 2024, Chuck Coleman tragically lost his life performing an airshow maneuver. He was a very accomplished pilot and engineer, test flying the Virgin Global Flyer, and Bede jets.

[blancolirio]

Great job syncing these two together Brian!

[joncox]

Retired from 42 years in Aviation. The one thing I've concluded is: "When it's YOUR time to go, it's YOUR time to go!" No matter how good you are, it happens. I've seen the most careless IDIOTS squeek through their entire career without a scratch, yet the most professional, careful, and talented pilots get bit in the butt! Dale Snodgrass was an excellent example, all it takes is one careless moment. RIP Chuck!

[randalldunkley]

I flew in used airplanes for a used aircraft business. So many close calls that I finally said enough is enough and have not flown in light aircraft since. That was 1980 and I don't regret quitting.

[crikitaviation]

The percentage of fatal accidents caused by low level Lomcovak maneuvers is mind boggling. It's a maneuver with the least predictable outcome done at an airshow with literally no room for error. RIP

[feelincrispy]

Fantastic footage. No wild speculation or salacious commentary. Good video.

[blueblue]

Only the latest of many air show pilot fatalities over the years. Won't be the last. This is dangerous zero room for low level human error or mechanical failure. The performers accept that. Salute to Mr Coleman and a life well lived.

[rondyechannel]

Two of my fathers
closest flying buddies have died in Air Show accidents. Both WWII fighter pilots in their time. They knew the risks.

[DstewA]

Very Sad. May he rest in peace and his family be comforted✈️

[seriouspilot]

I was at the Airshow Saturday. It came as a shock to me when I heard that he crashed one day later 😢
My condolences to the family

[roydrink]

Reminds me of the old saying, “There are bold pilots and there are old pilots, but there are no old bold pilots…”

[graysono]

I just watched Juan's vid of this crash.

He mentioned you in the vid so I came for a look.

I've subscribed.

Best to you from me way Down Under in Middle Earth!

[DanWaller-qu]

Very sad. I was there. Such a loss..

[maxhardover]

He appeared to be substantially lower in the accident video when he started the two aileron rolls. He recognized it during recovery and put in pretty good pull to recover but his speed was way too low and not much room to get it back up. The "forward flip" maneuver is an outside snap roll which puts you in an inverted spin. I'm not sure why airshow pilots want to be so low to the ground. Nearly all fatal accidents at airshows that aren't caused by structural failures are pilots just too damn low. Literally no room to recover if you goon something up.

[Nivola]

I appreciate that you didn’t give in to sensationalism and more clicks chasing, by not showing the impact that killed a brave aviator, his dignity deserves respect.

[nmaviation]

Very devastating to see it in person. RIP Mr. Coleman 🕊

[ConvairDart]

That forward tumble actually has a name. It is called a Lomcovak, meaning, extreme headache. R.I.P. Chuck.

[TheFleetflyer]

He seemed to be carrying less energy into the tumble and beginning at a lower height on the accident flight. It was a badly planned routine to insert a tumble at a relatively low height anyway, and in the UK this element may well have been required to be removed by the flying display director. Tumbles at low height are a distinctly recognised killer in display aerobatics in the UK.

[geezuss]

He was way way way too low to perform that maneuver! I am shocked that he would leave literally NO recovery altitude.

[ericrobitaille]

Brian, great analysis putting the two videos side by side. I can't determine the altitude difference (if any), but it's clear that the aircraft behaved differently aerodynamically to the tumble maneuver. That unexpected behavior left him pointed down as opposed to horizontally, and there simply wasn't enough altitude remaining in that orientation. RIP Chuck.

[vwfanatic]

You & Juan got it spot on. NTSB would be wise to consider both your & Juan’s videos. Tragic loss of a great man and incredible pilot. The world is a lesser place without him in it. Only solace as cliche as it may be, is that he ended doing what he loved.