DTN News: Australian F-111 makes Airshow Emergency Landing

DTN News: Australian F-111 makes Airshow Emergency Landing *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media By CHUN HAN WONG,Associated Press Writer (NSI News Source Info) SINGAPORE - February 6, 2010: Australia's air force said Saturday that one of its F-111 jets made an emergency landing earlier this week during an aerial display at the Singapore Airshow and will not participate in further performances. An F-111 of the Royal Australian Air Force showcases a fuel dump and burn procedure during an aerial display in Singapore. The air force said Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 that one of its F-111 jets made an emergency landing after receiving an engine fire warning just two minutes into its seven-minute performance during Thursday's aerial display and will not participate in further performances. The F-111's aircrew radioed a distress call after receiving an engine fire warning just two minutes into its seven-minute performance Thursday, said Royal Australian Air Force Flight Lieutenant Leon Izatt, who was part of a two-man team piloting the jet. Its crew immediately terminated the flight and made an emergency landing on one of the plane's two engines. The airshow was likely to have been the last for the jet as Australia's air force plans to retire its F-111 fleet in December. Singapore's airshow, which has featured displays of mostly military jets and helicopters this week and ends Sunday, had already been marred by an earlier incident on the same day when a South Korean T-50 Golden Eagle jet was ordered by organizers to terminate its performance after it flew too close to spectators. Wing Commander Micka Gray said there were no signs of a fire on the F-111. The plane remains grounded while maintenance crews investigate why the aircraft's fire warning went off.