F-111 Crew Ejection! | Colonel Rob Kyrouac 

"General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark" by Don Logan is well worth picking up amzn.to/46zo4Am

That aircraft was actually the first F111 I ever worked on. I helped put the engine that failed in that jet. I hooked up most of the firewall connections. The engine had been removed for oil consumption but it passed test cell and was given back to us. We put it back in the aircraft and the mishap happened that night. We had done an extended shift just to get it ready to fly. I had just gotten to the base in August of that year. I had been a F15 mechanic for nines years. Four of that was at the test cell and Hush House at Langley AFB and in Iceland. My baptism in the F111 was an accident investigation. Great story!! And we all were very happen to hear the crew got out of the aircraft safely. Still working on F15s The aircraft was a true mechanics plane and not the easiest to work on. I do miss it though. I was absolutely blazingly fast.

My dad is a member of the Caterpillar Club also. Bailed out of a F-100 over France in the early 1960’s. Engine blew up; glided from 45,000ft- punched at 10k. And still around at 92.

Not just a great story, a great story teller who brings the whole story to life

All these years and I never knew my uncle Rob had to eject from a plane. I have always loved his personality.

That was my aircraft, when it was stationed at RAF Lakenheath. I saw it and 70-2362 both side by side at McChord Air Force Base about 3-4 weeks before it crashed. It was my baby! I almost wanted to puke when I heard that it crashed. 70-2362 was the first F-111F, and it was my buddy Joe’s aircraft.

I flew with Rob when we were both T-37 instructor pilots at Reese, AFB back in the 1980's. I left to fly KC-135s before he got his follow-on assignment. Didn't know that he wound up flying the Aardvark...certainly never heard about his ejection. Glad to hear he's doing well.

I was a young avionics tech at Carswell AFB, TX, in 1968-69 when the first FB-111's were being delivered by General Dynamics, across the runway. We had one crash off the end of the runway one night, I don't believe the crew survived. In typical military wisdom, following months of advanced systems training, I was sent to Thailand because I was only an E-3, E-4 and above went to Plattsburg. NY, with the newly formed wing and I never worked on F-111's again. The FB-111 was so modern (then) compared to the B-52's and KC135's that I also worked on.

I watch a lot of your interviews because I’m a retired RAF pilot and I know a number of the guys and galls in your vids. I enjoy them all. But I have to say, this was the most entertaining one I’ve seen. What a brilliant way to tell the story. Many thanks to you and Col Rob.

As a former FB-111 Nav I appreciate you sharing this. Thanks

I was a Security Policeman based at Carswell AFB near Ft. Worth, Tx in 1967. In Oct that year an F-111 crashed near Bowie, Tx approx. 100 miles from the base where it had taken off earlier. The crew ejected safely. I was one of several volunteers from my squadron, the 7th Security Police Squadron at Carswell AFB who went out to secure the crash site. While there a rep from General Dynamics told us that this was the 1st time that ejection system was used in an actual emergency. The capsule as it was called came down about 4 miles from the crash site.Obviously, everyone concerned was happy that it worked. Never heard what caused the plane to crash but someone said that the last words on the CVR "Oh Shit"

That was 30 minutes of my day well spent, incredible. Thank you.

Former Aerospace Crash/Rescue, I was told in the mid/late 80's that nobody had ever survived ejecting from a F-111. Not sure I ever believed this but that is what I was told at Chanute AFB during a training course. Glad to hear these men survived and were not massively injured!

I used to work on F11 11’s from 1971 to 1977. Only had one capsule ejection when I was in the military. Those boys roll down a hill. But both survived. Good story though thank you for sharing that!!

He told the story and so well that it made me feel like I was in that capsule. Amazing story. It's a shame that he hasn't reconnected with his co-pilot.

My mom's cousin was shot down in 1972 while flying his F111a. He and his co-pilot were MIA for years before finally being found, identified and sent back home.

My dad worked on these in the airforce in the 80's. Man I miss him so nick R.i.p dad

I lived in Clovis at the time this happened. Dad was with the 27th for F-16s. I'm glad you made it out. The aardvark was such an enigma to me at that point. My brain was amazed with the sweep wing and "escape pod." (I was like 8, lol)

Thanks, @Aircrewinterview, for another excellent interview with Rob 'KY'. A few notes from my own F-111 experience (brief though it was, with my last flight in Nov 1982). My recollection is that the ejection sequence resulted in 18 Gs on initial firing of the ejection rocket, and 11 Gs on ground impact - as long as the ejection capsule parachute and airbags were working, that is. Unfortunately for our wing commander Col Ernie Colman at Mtn Home AFB, the airbags didn't deploy correctly when he and his WSO had to eject (due to an engine fire on takeoff). As a result, Col Coleman's back was broken at mid-back, so severely that he was paralysed from mid-chest for the rest of his life. There was eventually a lawsuit lodged against General Dynamics and it found that they were liable for a manufacturing fault, so at least Col Coleman received some level of financial compensation. Once again, I really salute Rob for his candour and humour in relating his story. Highly engaging, and rich with valuable lessons for current and future aircrew.

You should try and get an interview with Rick Adams. He was a Navy pilot in 1965 with VF-162 ,the first American to be shot down by a Sam and survive it. The next year in 1966 he was shot down a second time over Hanoi, they managed to pick him up and he survived that one and they grounded him after that from flying combat!

I performed maintenance on that F-111 as an Egress technician, specialty code 2A672 ; 27 CRS. Happy that you ejected succesfully.😅

I enjoyed the interview with Colonel Kerouac. I was stationed at Edwards AFB (flight test center) from late 1970 thru 1972. I was weapons mechanic assigned to the 36th TAC Fighter Wing. I was trained and worked mostly on the F-111. This video brought sad memories of two heroic test pilots, Major Hurt and Major Boline who were killed when the F-111 they were piloting went down on a practice mission over China Lake. Although they ejected and the capsule separated, the capsule shoot failed to open and they were killed. I knew these pilots as I was part of the crew that saw them off safely and return after their mission safely. Although many years ago I have never forgotten these two brave pilots.

This Man is quick to take Responsibility for his mistakes. He is Confident enough in himself to make light of those mistakes in front of people. Seems like a Solid Man to me. Best Wishes from Montana M.H

You are a great storyteller, Rob. And, thank you for your service, sir!

"Yeah, there's a known design flaw in the 111 that could cause the engine to explode. Ya gotta kinda expect it." When I was eleven, I told my dad that I wanted to be a USAF pilot like him. Then he told me his story about getting shot in the leg while flying a FAC mission over Vietnam while sitting on a manhole cover in the little Cessna they'd given him. He got me into computers, instead. Col. Kyrouac's story makes me grateful for my dad's guidance. I'll stick to skydiving, instead. Getting launched out of a plane by a rocket doesn't sound like a lot of fun.

I was recently being shown through an F1-11 in Australia and the navigator showing me the plane ejected in New Zealand. He told of the violence of the ejection as well. Great story

My first duty station was Mtn Home AFB, Id. I worked Autopilot and Instrument shop on the F111F in 1977, later we got the F111A from Nellis, NV some of which were modified to EF111s before I got transferred to Plattsburg, NY and the FB111. I got out in 1984. I always liked being able to get the aardvarks back into the air. They always flew better when they flew every day, and were literal earth pigs if they sat on the ground - as in becoming a hanger queen sitting for more than 30 days. So many memories.

Amazing story and a wonderful story teller. My old man was a fighter pilot and he was a good story teller too. We lost him last year and listening to this gentleman made me remember my old man. Thanks for your service sir.

Thanks for sharing this post ejection briefing. In 1968 and 69 I worked at General Dynamics, now Lockheed on the flight line prepping F111 aircraft for delivery to the Air Force. Glad you survived to tell this story, and pleased to hear emergency systems worked as designed.

I was at RAF Lakenheath from 78’ to 82’. Loved that aircraft and watching the elephant walks.

Just amazing!! This guy is very funny and the story is incredible! Congratulations

Aside from the spinal injury, great to hear all the things that did go well. Yeah, some small oops along the way, but you saved the crew and the town.

I remember that evening into the next morning all too well - the massive relief at hearing they were ok

A stark reminder how peacetime can be anything but peaceful in an instant. God bless you sir and thank you for your service.

What a great story teller! Brilliant stuff!

I could listen to him tell stories forever

Excellent interview these F111 pilots definitely have great respect for there aircraft

Great story, well told. I loved how he counted up his errors and talked about them, like any real pilot does. Thank you.

Great story. I grew up around the F-111. I was a kid at RAF Lakenheath in April 1986 when our planes took off to go bomb Libya. I was outside boxing a friend. He went on to be a Butkus award winner…and my Dad was the Chief of Supply at Clovis AFB when this incident occurred. Love the Aardvark!

Don’t know when this happened but flew with three F-111 guys from Cannon at our airline from 80 to almost 86. Great group of guys.

This is the best story I have heard in a very long time! I have always wanted to know more about the F-111 ejection capsule thing too. This guy is great at telling the story! Super!

F-111 stuff always makes the best stories. Keep ‘em coming..

Great episode. I worked at Grumman in the 80's on the modification of the F111A to the EF111A. I always wondered how the crew's would survive an ejection. The capsule/ cockpit is huge. Thanks for this episode.

WOW! What a story! Thank you for sharing, just amazing. My dad was a pilot involved in a C-47 crash in VN, the only survivor and to this day he has a hard time driving over bridges.

Lovely story. I used to be lucky enough to watch the F-111's while fly fishing in Northampton (uk) in the late 80's/early 90's. These things used to fly so low in pairs I was nearly level with them as they came belting past then had to pull up to miss the hill line and trees. They were probably higher than that but did look impressive! Especially as a youngster.

Cannon. Good times. I was stationed at Cannon AFB in 2001 for 4 years and worked in airfield management. Found pieces once during a FOD walk of an f111 left behind after a crash. Sounds like his was off base near Melrose though. At first I thought maybe this was the pilot of the plane I found pieces from 😂

Gentleman I sincerely thank you for your service & the sacrifices you & your families have made & continue to make for our freedom. It is a debt that can never truly be repaid.

"Entertaining" is a gross understatement! A most amusing tale of an F-111 ejection!

I was a support guy on an accident investigation board for an F-111 accident at Loring AFB a few days before Christmas 75 (the a/c was out of Pease). Similar story: fan blade failure while on low level ground following radar pass. The crew ejected the capsule successfully and the a/c buried itself into the wetlands. Thanks for this great video.

Love the Fox One Eleven stories, living near Spadeadam in Northumberland, I used to love watching them entering the range 👍

Interesting, inspiring and enjoyable story. Utmost respect for what our military aircrew do - risks involved even in peacetime. Almost to a person, those I have met, especially pilots, loved what they did despite the risks. I am an AF brat and we were stationed at Cannon between '71 and '74. My father had a history with the 111 going back to the last half of the '60s when we were stationed at Wright-Pat - he was in the 111 SPO. Reliability & Maintainability Officer for the program. In that role he was involved in many of the accident investigations during that time (He got to spend a lot of time at Nellis and other places.). In 1970 he did a tour in Vietnam and during that time he was temporarily recalled back to the States for at least one investigation as I remember. Once completing his tour (AC-130 WSO, 16th SOS) we wound up PCSing to Cannon in '71, where he joined the 522nd and actually flew 111's operationally as a WSO. I still have a couple of Fireball patches in my collection 🙂 If I recall, during the period we were there, they were flying the A model, and toward the end of our stay had started transitioning to the D. Among the coolest things I remember doing was getting to take a spin in one of the simulators. We went into a single story building where inside there were two (maybe 3) identical simulator "rooms", each packed with quite a large number of blue computer cabinets, a console, and the simulator cockpit module. I sat in the right seat next to my father who gave me some quick guidance and then I started to handle the stick. Within a few seconds he informed me that I had just crashed. I knew a number of 111 pilots/WSOs during that time, and also some of the ground crew folks (one of the crew chiefs was my Scoutmaster). Also, interestingly enough, my Clovis High School drafting teacher the first year I was there up and quit teaching and went the OCS route so he could "fly the F-111". Later during my time there, my father asked me if I knew this guy - apparently he had just shown up assigned to Cannon as a new 111 pilot. I don't think he was in my father's squadron - I believe he might have been in the 524th. So that was kind of a cool thing. I recall various unfortunate incidents with the 111 which occurred during my time there. One that sticks out for me was the time a crew flew their 111 into the ground at night following not making a crucial altitude setting change after passing a railroad track landmark (I looked it up - was 12/23/1973, tail number 68-0113, D model). Memory is fuzzy on whether this was my Scoutmaster's aircraft, but the night it happened he got called away and he was very upset about it. There were a couple of other things I learned about the crash site situation at the time which I won't mention here, but wish I hadn't heard. Just a sad event all around. However, I always thought it was a way cool aircraft and feeling very proud that my father had not only been part of "creating" it but also experienced flying the final product operationally (I've heard the story of "remapping the world" for the 111 many times, the story of the wing pivot investigations, about the development of the TFR, insights on some of the subcontractors, and other interesting tidbits about the program.) One thing my father related to me about the 111 was at the time there were often challenges getting pilots to trust the technology. And some accidents were traced back to this issue. The 111, for its day, had some of the most sophisticated avionics anywhere - several capabilities custom-developed for the aircraft. If nothing else, the F-111 was a pivot point in transitioning to today's highly sophisticated, amazing avionics, radar tech, etc. A lot of what we have today goes back to the F-111 program. Heck, even the F-14 "borrowed" quite a bit from the 111 (My father also told me I'd be surprised how many F-14 parts were interchangeable with the F-111.). I only recall one story he told me about an actual experience he had during an F-111 sortie, where they almost ejected (or worse). Apparently at 23,000 feet they experienced a double flameout. His pilot immediately put the aircraft into a dive and attempted to restart the engines. They recovered at 3000. When I asked him how close they came to ejecting vs hitting the ground, he basically said "You don't want to know.". I've been back to Clovis just once since '74 - I think 2008. As I recall there were two 111's on pedestals off base. One was in a memorial park in Clovis and the other as you're driving into Portales. I think my father recognized the tail number of the 111 in Clovis as one he flew. Anyway, Clovis was an interesting place. I still remember pulling the tumbleweeds out from underneath my car in the mornings when heading off to school. I remember the occasions where the aroma from the feed yards visited our neighborhood. I also remember the parking lot at the high school where pretty much every truck had a rifle rack in it - often complete with rifle. My have times changed...

I do like a good ejection story! Many careers ago I was in charge of a simulation being developed for the F22 and got talking to a really lovely quiet guy called Bud who told me about ejecting hot over Vietnam after A SAM hit from an F4, it was a story that has always stayed with me, the last ditch manoeuvring to lose the missile that they saw come up at them, the ejection itself and walking up on the jungle floor with some Vietkong ninja trying to rip his gold fillings out and the time he spent imprisoned in a half submerged cave. After his friend said he never tells that story.. I remember he had a flask in his breast pocket and I don’t blame him it sounded traumatic. Thanks for serving & sharing

In the late 70s I worked at Dalmo Victor in San Carlos where I upgraded and repaired the ECM and fire control units for F111s. The forward, aft, and ICU units were built like tanks. They looked like you could beat them with a hammer and they would just laugh at you. Despite this, units would come back to us shaken nearly apart by the violent vibrations of the aircraft. The upgrades were obscenely costly, which I was never supposed to know. But one day either forward- or aft-unit came in and in the work order was more paperwork. Not knowing what it was, I opened and read it. Turned out to be an invoice for the repair, which was a minor update of a board with a slightly faster MOS device. I was astonished that the DoD was being charged $239K for this upgrade, thought it must be wrong, and so I took the paperwork to my director. The moment he saw what it was, the man blanched and got uncharacteristically stern with me. He was gay as the lillies and because I was 20 years old and devastatingly handsome, he'd cottoned to me quite obviously. He got a look on his face and told me in no uncertain terms that I was to say nothing of this to anyone, after asking me whether I'd opened my yap on the floor, which I hadn't. I'm not quite sure what the issue was there, but it sure did cause the director to fill his pants. We never spoke of it again. And just FYI, I'm still devastatingly handsome. Oddly, I still have my Dalmo Victor ID from those days, replete with my secret clearance.

Was there at Cannon at this time, working 428th aircraft. Prior to leaving Cannon in 1996, I became the squadron Chief.

The way he told the story, it was a great narrative but I guess they have to be a excellent at de-briefs and more if things did not go as planned. One of the best stories I have heard. It must of been a hell of a night. F111 crash and surviving. Both men are remarkable

Got a sweat on listening to this incident, brilliantly told by one of the pilots who was there, 👍🏻👍🏻

An amazing story very well told. I hope he and Pug get back in touch.

…so glad you came out of this…. Seeing you two at the impact site instead on IN the site!

The contact lenses part just killed mě!

USAF F-111A 77-055 crashed north of our house in Kingston, Utah in 1974. It had collided with a twin engine civilian plane. I was a little kid when it happened. I remember as a teenager finding a bent up piece of the smaller plane in the sagebrush. Another F-111 had crashed the year before in Zion National Park to the south of us.

I was the HazMat coordinator for that recovery. Spent a lot of hours doing paperwork for the large amount of 55 gallon drums. Each containing the sand and hazardous fluids it absorbed. Those barrels weighed a ton. I never made it out to the crash site but saw the pictures. I worked R&R (repair and recovery) while at Canon. The recovery of the aircraft was made difficult because it completely shattered and buried itself into the sand. There was not much large pieces of wreckage. If I recall correctly only about 60% of the aircraft was successfully recovered. I also recall seeing the stick in the squadron for awhile before it disappeared. I know I did not take it. Now I know where it went. I was happy to know you guys made it out alive. Been on too many recoveries with fatalities. Those are never nice.

What an entertaining guy.

Rob Kyrouac If it's any consolation we had a similar ejection on an exercise in New Zealand The engine failed on a takeoff on a wet runway and the bird was sliding towards the ammo dump the Kiwis had built at the end of the runway The pilot was a somewhat dour chap, very play it by the book the Nav was a real lad and had at least a few women near every airbases The pilots last words before the ejection was "We can make this" The Nav's reply was "FUCK THAT !!! EJECT EJECT EJECT !!!" The pilot got mild back injuries, the nav was back in the air the next day, and on the town the next night ! Stay safe ! They checked the data and found that there was no way it was going to make it, the nav made the right decision !

I had a B52 fly about 50ft overhead near that range in the early 70's . Shook the car with the turbulence.

I watched this whole video all the way through twice today, once in the early morning, and now again in the late evening. I did indeed find it very interesting and entertaining!

Great storyteller! Made this serious event appear to be quite humorous. Australia ran these planes for years too and they seem like a marvel of engineering. 👍🏻

Great Story and I was there at CAFB at the time of this incident. I was in the 428th Buccaneers and started that squadron back in 1990 with only 12 of us assigned including the commander and 1st shirt. I did a PCS from Pease AFB, NH. The FB-111A aircraft that left Pease back then were designated F-111G models when they hit the deck at Cannon. I was on F-111s my entire career in the AF from 1975-1997. I can say that I started and closed a squadron which was the 428th. I went on a crash detail back in 1976 from Cannon to Artesia NM to recover classified equipment from a downed F-111D that the crew had to punch out of while on a FCF flight. At that time, it was the first successful ejection from a F-111 over mach. It made a huge mess and the main fuselage hit the only road within miles and took out half the road, made a huge 20-foot crater and took out a lot of cattle that were nearby because on all the fuel aboard on the that flight. Glad you guys made it out in one piece. Thanks for serving... and if your wings don't sweep, you ain't shit! :)

Loved this story. Thanks Mike and Rob!

Thoroughly enjoyed the story and the way Colonel Kyrouac tells it. Many thanks for uploading this :D Gets a 'sub' from me !

What an amazing story. Great guy to interview. Amazing he can remember so much detail, from along time ago.

I'm a former Army 15 Tango crew chief on a UH-60 Blackhawk its amazing how smooth a good pilot can be. And from one to another thank you for your service to our country and humanity.. side note next to the F-4 Phantom the F-111 is my favorite aircraftF4 favorite because well my uncle flew him and it brought him home even with a whole 3 ft round in a wing and a lot of shrapnel

Such an awesome story! I was at the Deid the same time as Col Kytoyac. Good dude and had never heard this story until now.

Outstanding chap and brilliant story.

I was an A shopper at Cannon in the 523rd when that happened, glad to see you are doing well, sir!

I just learned the -111 is a capsule for the crew when an ejection happens. See, ya learn something new everyday. Cool interview guys.

Well after my time at Cannon. Worked as an avionics shop weenie on the D model from 76-80. Made me chuckle with your description of Lubbock as the big city. Certainly remember that thought as well.

In the late 70's the gas station where I worked was just outside the front gate of Pease A.F.B. one day as I was walking out to the pumps I heard jet engines hunting very loudly and unusually close behind me. Just as I turned to look I saw the crew compartment shoot up out of an F111. The plane dropped like a rock with almost no forward motion. It was a great relief to see the crew compartment floating down on the parachute. Then I thought crap they are headed for.the river. They landed safely short of the river but, the plane itself did burn up some houses. No one was hurt which was a real miracle.

Ky....hope u and Deb are doing good...lv u bro...beetle

Another great interview, thanks Mike! And thank you COL Kerouac for your service and for sharing your story!!

Great interview all around! Thanks to both of you for bringing this to us.

A great story. Wonderfully told !

What an amazing story. Thanks for telling it and glad everything turned out pretty OK for both of you!

What a great story and a great story teller. Loved this interview. It left me wanting more more more!!!!

Sick Stuff! We had RAAF F-111s at sea level, the world Rumbled, Our boat was, became Harmonic and the fish vamoos. Great show Kids, Wish Rob all the best!

Wow that was a great story. Thanks for sharing. Glad you all were not hurt any worse.

Story was brought to life. Thank You!

What a great guy !

More F-111 content yes!

What a great story teller. Fascinating!

Great story. Loved the detail and the AIB questions are always entertaining! Luckily never had to pull the handle.

What an amazing story and interview

KY This was an awesome story, thank you for retelling it as no doubt youve done many times really enjoyed it

Very cool storie! Thanks for sharing. I was a Crew Chief on the F-111E model at RAF Upper Heyford in the early 80's.

Amazing story! Glad there were a few photos, it was AWESOME of your Flight Surgeon to have done all he did after.. wow

I was an Egress troop for over 22 years in the USAF, mostly on ejection seats. When I got stationed at Edwards, I had to get trained up on F-111s which were used for ALCM chase in the mid-'80s. I'll never forget showing up for work and being told that I had to change out the recovery chute on an aardvark, no training, never seen anyone do it, no idea. What a job. Giant compressed chute that begins expanding as soon as you remove it from the special box that mimics the hole in the fuselage that it goes in... you only have minutes to insert it, get all the bridles connected and routed and then get the explosive panel with many dozens of screws fixed to the plane, or you will never be able to install the panel because the chute will swell out of the compartment. So many chances to have a failure. I was so happy when I left F-111s and went back to ejection seat aircraft. FWIW... the module's rocket in a slow ejection has 27,000 pounds of thrust on one nozzle and 500 on the second. Your back injury is very easy to get if not positioned correctly.

Thank you for a great review! I remember going to Air Force Rescueman school at the now defunct Chanute AFB in 1984. Part of the training was studying a load of aspects of the FB-111 module ejection system (i.e., the bolts shot out at 2 million psi if I remember), then we were timed to rescue two mannequins from an actual 111 module. One of the more fun parts of rescue school. Thanks for the memories.

Very fun story , well told. Glad you are smiling! Thank you for your service.

Thanks for the interview and wonderful story

Great story, well told. You're still alive after a long, dangerous career and I'm sure your sense of humor is the reason for much of that.

Awesome interview! Rob described it all brilliantly.