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Squawks & Headlines ✈ Video: T-38 jet runs low on fuel during space shuttle’s arrival at Dulles

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Video: T-38 jet runs low on fuel during space shuttle’s arrival at Dulles

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A NASA T-38 jet escorting the space shuttle Discovery into Washington Dulles International Airport ran low on fuel just as the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) approached the runway to land on Tuesday. (www.examiner.com) More...

Keith Stein
News junkiePromoterAnnouncerNewbie

EliteAviationTech
William Switzer 5
The article doesn't say they declared an emergency or that the T-38 was in danger, merely that the escort needed to land soon "due to fuel". The possibilities for why are numerous and honestly don't really matter in the greater scheme of things. No one was hurt, no craft was damaged. Typical media distortion.. make it seem like they almost ran out of fuel and crashed. I bet the T-38 pilot is laughing about this.
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sparkie624
sparkie624 1
The full audio was in the video. He did not declare, and he was given a normal pattern to land. I would say he was low, but not a low enough that he was in danger of crashing. I would guess he was within his designed reserve area.
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alistairm
alistairm 3
I think he was desperate to take a dump, lol. Who really cares? The story is not worth the space it takes up in cyber space. Will knowing what the real reason was change anyones lives??
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shattashaun
Shaun Schroeter 3
Talk about over-exaggeration. You do know some pilots do this also as a tactic to land right away right?
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Hueyp
Michael Neilan 2
T-38 fuel top off is around 3750lbs. Fuel burn at low altitude is around 1000lbs per hour per engine and that equals 300kts indicated.

Most NASA pilots are ex military. There was no real danger.
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Sutter
Peter Sutter 1
Hi

Un grand merci pour ce joli et impressionant film.

Cordialement

Pierre Sutter
Avully - Geneva / Switzerland
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Falconus
Falconus 1
I doubt that it ran low on fuel just as the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft approached the runway; it's not like you have a lot of fuel one minute and the next you are almost out.
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RobSJC
RobSJC 1
There were plenty of T-38 seen landing and flying around on video provided by CNN
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phataj2008
phataj2008 1
Why did the shuttle need an escort plane anyways?
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R123154
R123154 1
Glad you joined our group there Boyd.I think we should promote you to the Captain.!
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howej011
Joseph Howes 1
yes all it is is escort jet running low on fuel. you don't hear about this in the papers majorly do you? there may be like 2-3 sentences on it .
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R123154
R123154 2
To watch for problems such as leaks of fluids and such.The original F-14 in testing when it crashed had a chase plane which seen the hydrolic fluid leaking from outside the aircraft which helped the crew realize a lot quicker what the problem was.Any aircraft with NASA I'm sure are still classified in many ways experimental and things can still happen that are unusual and un predicted.
But I am suprised though that they called a fuel critical on the T-38 for usually in the military that means they have reached and are starting to use their planned reserves.Although this was a different scenario and I have to wonder did the shuttle carrier deviate away from their original plans ?
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phataj2008
phataj2008 1
Thanks!
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chalet
chalet 0
Clarify this for me, are you saying that the 747 was leaking, or was it the Shuttle or what. If that was a problem with the Suttle the T-38s should have chased it to the space in every mission, 40 of them or so. No, sir, this was a PR show so that Congress will continue funding for the next space monster, yes, the one going to Mars costing untold zillions to our improverished economy, this is terrible.
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R123154
R123154 1
It was not leaking.The chase planes follow in case there is a problem and yes I'm sure also this was a PR thing especially with it's destination.It will be interesting to see what happens with the others.
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kdhurne
Ken Hurne 1
It was more than escort. They were likely doing aerial photos as well.
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indy2001
indy2001 1
Also photos. The air-to-air shots have been all over the media today.
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R123154
R123154 1
There's a great video on youtube from the T-38 filming the flight over D.C.
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sparkie624
sparkie624 0
Sounds like he was mis fueled at his origin... either bad planning, or miscalculation by the fueler. Another option is that the engine for what ever reason was burning more fuel than estimated. I am sure be knew he had a fuel situation prior shuttle approach. Just waited til the last minute before notifiying the tower. I am sure he landed safely, if not, there would have been another news story here I am sure.

Great Video. I have a few other pictures of the event as well. Glad NASA put it on youtube.
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stol701
stol701 1
Why post if you have no clue?
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sparkie624
sparkie624 2
Never said I did not have a clue. Pointed out alternatives to what it could be!
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chalet
chalet 1
Oh no Sparkie, not again, keep your thoughts -if then can be called thoughts- for yourself (LOL!!!).
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linbb
Boyd Butler -1
And now that all of you know it alls have had your turn at saying nothing important unless you were in the airplane there is no way to figure out what happened. Arm chair quarter backs all unite it looks like.
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