"The story of William Rankin fall through a thunderstorm is one of impossible survival against incredible odds"
(ocd pedantic comment...)
Looking back on this incident, I am convinced this was a case of engine failure caused by HIWC... I looked it up, and the storm he was in was a squall line that had formed from the remains of a decaying tropical system. As a tropical system decays in the southeast, they are infamous for significant icing conditions way up into the flight levels. Like what happens in the equatorial regions with HIWC. Watch for the pireps above fl250 in the next tropical system in the region as it unwinds...Likely in the next few weeks.
One wonders if there was a blanket F-8 safety stand-down and pull apart every seat/canopy/chute assembly/inspection/test procedure, and check the QA signoffs.
I'm sure his odds of survival made the Mega Ball chances of 1 in 302 million look like a no brainer.
I recall reading a newspaper report about an elderly woman fallen into the sea from a cruise ship. Dog paddled for 18 hours with no flotation aid. When asked the ship’s captain observed that it “had been quite a good effort.”
"“This is very serious,” I thought."
Jud wins the internet today.
One lucky man...
As I learned in AF SERE school the impossible is possible if you never give up.
plus, 30 years Delta pilot, 55 years Hattie's husband. Semper Fi
Man! It was rough being in that squadron. A similar fate befell his squadron mate.
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-aug-28-cl-11422-story.html
As of 2020, DVIDS has him still this side of the grass and supporting USMC pilots.
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/374243/vmfa-323-welcomes-daedalians-miramar
No amphibious aircraft these days to attempt a rescue at sea.
Some days you eat the dog, and some days the dog eats you.
That was one lucky pilot, and he must have used up all four rabbits feet, plus a 4 leaf clover, and all the luck of the Irish,. Wouldn't ya say?
Thank you for sharing this.
It helps with perspective.
I think the record is still held by Flight Sergeant Alkemade who parted company with his burning Lancaster over Germany at 18,000 feet.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Alkemade
Yowser!
It wasn't his turn to go.
Seems Marine F-8 bubbahs are not going to be topped when it comes to post ejection stories...
https://disciplesofflight.com/william-rankins-story/
"The story of William Rankin fall through a thunderstorm is one of impossible survival against incredible odds"
(ocd pedantic comment...)
Looking back on this incident, I am convinced this was a case of engine failure caused by HIWC... I looked it up, and the storm he was in was a squall line that had formed from the remains of a decaying tropical system. As a tropical system decays in the southeast, they are infamous for significant icing conditions way up into the flight levels. Like what happens in the equatorial regions with HIWC. Watch for the pireps above fl250 in the next tropical system in the region as it unwinds...Likely in the next few weeks.
https://www.boeing.com/commercial/aeromagazine/articles/qtr_01_10/5/
https://ams.confex.com/ams/103ANNUAL/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/418831
https://www.aviation.govt.nz/airspace-and-aerodromes/meteorology/met-developments/high-altitude-ice-crystal-icing/
One wonders if there was a blanket F-8 safety stand-down and pull apart every seat/canopy/chute assembly/inspection/test procedure, and check the QA signoffs.
I'm sure his odds of survival made the Mega Ball chances of 1 in 302 million look like a no brainer.
Good Lord! To survive everything that went wrong was quite a feat and this Pilot did have a Co-pilot, and Angel over his shoulder.
But the instant operation on the fly to recover and save him was outstanding!
https://youtu.be/UhRQgDwaEhc
I'm glad God was watching over him.
This chap was also watched over.
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/210011
I recall reading a newspaper report about an elderly woman fallen into the sea from a cruise ship. Dog paddled for 18 hours with no flotation aid. When asked the ship’s captain observed that it “had been quite a good effort.”